Prolonged Daily Screen-Time among Saudi Secondary School Students

Abstract

Background: Media is a powerful educational tool for children and adolescents, but they may have a great negative effect on their health. Prolonged screen-time is a risk for several chronic diseases. Aim of Study: To assess daily screen-time among Saudi secondary school students. Subjects and Methods: Following a cross-sectional study design in Abha City, a total of 384 secondary school students were included. A self-administered questionnaire was developed by the researcher to assess students' screen-time (i.e., more than two hours per day). Results: Screen times of about three-fourths of secondary school students were more than two hours. Smartphones were the most frequently used electronic devices (71.1%), followed by the watching television (54.4%), videogames (50.8%), and computers (39.1%). Screen times increase significantly during weekends (p<0.001). Screen times were significantly higher among males (p=0.001). Students with higher Grade Point Average (GPA) had significantly more screen times (p<0.001). Moreover, students' prolonged daily screen-time was significantly associated with higher family monthly income (p=0.03). Conclusions: Most secondary school students have prolonged daily screen time. The most frequently used electronic devices are smartphones. Use of electronic devices increases during weekends and entertainment is the most frequent purpose for prolonged screen time. Screen-time is significantly higher among boys, those with high GPA and among students in families with high monthly income. Recommendations: Health education of adolescents and their parents to raise their awareness regarding health risks associated with prolonged screen-time and how they can positively influence their children by enforcing family rules to limit using electronic devices