Validity and reliability of Indonesian version of the digital screen exposure questionnaire (DSEQ) for young children

Abstract

Studies have shown that excessive screen time in early childhood can negatively affect development. Therefore, assessing screen exposure in young children is important for preventing these negative effects. However, only a limited number of validated and reliable tools have been adapted into the Indonesian language. This study aimed to translate, culturally adapt, and evaluate the validity and reliability of the Digital Screen Exposure Questionnaire (DSEQ) for Indonesian children aged 2–5 years. This cross-sectional study included 171 caregivers. The translation and adaptation processes followed internationally accepted guidelines for patient-reported outcomes measures, with content and face validity evaluated through expert reviews. Reliability was assessed based on the COSMIN guidelines and previous studies, with internal consistency measured using Cronbach’s alpha and test-retest reliability assessed in a subsample of 31 caregivers using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). This study is the first cultural adaptation of the DSEQ in Indonesia and demonstrates good face and content validity, as confirmed by expert evaluations. Internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha) was strong for screen-time exposure and home media environment (0.704), media-related behaviors (0.863), and physical activity (0.768), whereas test–retest reliability across the three domains was moderate to high (ICC values: 0.514–0.946), with lower ICC values observed for the item related to parental supervision while watching television, which may vary owing to differences in household routines and parental availability. These findings support the Indonesian DSEQ as a valid and reliable tool for evaluating exposure to digital screens among children.