Children’s Internet use and physical and psychosocial development

Bibliographic Data

ID22076459
AuthorsSvetlana Novaković (0009-0003-0286-5905, Institute of Public Health of Serbia), Sanja Milenkovic (0009-0003-8731-8475, University of Belgrade), Marijana Srećković (0000-0003-3990-7702, Military Medical Academy), Dusan Backovic (0000-0002-3373-3628, University of Belgrade), Vladimir Ignjatović (0000-0001-7718-300X, University of Kragujevac, corresponding author), Nataša Capo (0009-0006-7031-7398, University of Kragujevac), Tamara Stojanović (0000-0001-6908-4810, University of Kragujevac), Vladimir Vukomanović (0000-0002-7886-885X, University of Kragujevac), Marija Sekulić (0000-0002-5108-2398, University of Kragujevac), Jagoda Gavrilović (0000-0003-3327-3884, University of Kragujevac), Katarina Vuleta (University of Kragujevac), Vesna Ignjatovic (0000-0002-3045-4754, University of Kragujevac, corresponding author)
Year2023
Volume11
Pages1163458-1163458
Publication date2023-06-08
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueFrontiers in Public Health (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 2296-2565 • E-ISSN: 2296-2565
PublisherFrontiers Media SA (PUBLISHER • CH)
DOI10.3389/fpubh.2023.1163458
PMID37361154
OpenAlexW4380050045
LanguageEN
Citations received5
References cited43

Introduction Internet use (IU) commonly refers to sedentary lifestyle and may be addictive, especially among children. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between IU and some aspects of child physical and psychosocial development. Methodology We conducted a cross-sectional survey by using a screen-time based sedentary behavior questionnaire and Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ)—among 836 primary school children in the Braničevo District. The children’s medical records were analysed for vision problems and spinal deformities. Their body weight (BW) and height (BH) were measured and body mass index (BMI) was calculated as BW in kilograms divided by BH in meters squared (kg/m 2 ). Results The average age of respondents was 13.4 (SD 1.2) years. The mean duration of daily Internet use and sedentary behavior was 236 (SD 156) and 422 (SD 184) minutes, respectively. There was no significant correlation between daily IU and vision problems (near sightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism, strabismus), and spinal deformities. However, daily Internet use is significantly associated with obesity ( p < 0.001) and sedentary behavior ( p = 0.01). There was significant correlation between emotional symptoms with total Internet usage time, and total sedentary score ( p < 0.001 for both, r = 0.141 and r = 0.132, respectively). There was a positive correlation between the total sedentary score of children and hyperactivity/inattention ( r = 0.167, p < 0.001), emotional symptoms ( r = 0.132, p < 0.001), and conduct problems ( r = 0.084, p < 0.01). Conclusion In our study, children’s Internet use was associated with obesity, psychological disturbances and social maladjustment

Internet privacy · Psychiatry · Psychosocial · The Internet · World Wide Web · Child Development and Digital Technology · Children's Physical and Motor Development · Computer Science · Ergonomics and Musculoskeletal Disorders · Medicine · Psychology

Tools

Open DOIOpen Access