The Impact of Screen Exposure on Children in Morocco

Authors

  • Samira Eddaoudi UHC TTA
  • Yousra El Boussaadni UHC TTA
  • Asmae Mehdaoui UHC TTA
  • Fadila Bousgheri Abdelmalek Essâadi University, Tangier
  • Adil Najdi Abdelmalek Essaadi University, Morocco
  • Abdalah Oulmaati UHC TTA

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.47941/ijhs.1269

Keywords:

Exposure, Child, Screens, Impact, Smartphone

Abstract

Purpose: This cross-sectional study aimed to investigate the prevalence and negative effects of screen exposure on children among a sample of Moroccan families.

Methodology: The study involved 333 parents with an average age of 35 years and an average socioeconomic level of 85%. Participants completed a questionnaire assessing their child's screen exposure and related negative effects. The sample included 590 children aged between 3 months and 12 years.

Findings: The study found that 93% of parents reported using screens in the presence of their child, with televisions being the most frequently used device by children, followed by tablet computers and smartphones. The daily screen exposure was between 2-4 hours for 56% of children, and it increased during the COVID-19 pandemic. Although parents reported that all children were thriving, calm, and attentive during screen exposure, 30% of children exhibited behavioral and concentration problems, and 5% experienced language delay. Moreover, in 60% of cases, adult intervention was necessary to stop children's screen exposure, and in 20% of cases, children exhibited crying or violent behaviors when access to screens was prevented.

Unique Contribution to Theory, Policy and Practice: This study highlights the high prevalence of screen exposure among Moroccan children and the negative effects associated with excessive screen time. The findings underscore the need for parental vigilance and professional awareness-raising to promote healthy screen habits and prevent adverse effects on child development. This study may inform policy and practice aimed at limiting screen exposure and promoting alternative activities to support child development.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

Author Biographies

Samira Eddaoudi, UHC TTA

Pediatrics department

Yousra El Boussaadni, UHC TTA

Pediatrics department

Asmae Mehdaoui, UHC TTA

Pediatrics department

Fadila Bousgheri, Abdelmalek Essâadi University, Tangier

Department of Epidemiology and Community Medicine Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy

Adil Najdi, Abdelmalek Essaadi University, Morocco

Department of Epidemiology and Community Medicine

Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy

Abdalah Oulmaati, UHC TTA

Pediatrics department

References

: Dartau M, Guillard-Prudhomme C, Romero M, Magot L. « Les jeunes enfants et les crans : les parents sont-ils informs des dangers ? » Young children and screens: are parents informed of the dangers? mt pdiatrie 2019 ; 22 (2) : 69-74 37

Mlanie Gomez [Online]. « De plus en plus d'enfants exposs aux crans bien avant l'âge de trois ans » «More and more children exposed to screens before the age of three » . Europe 1, published September 11th, 2018 [consulted September 12th, 2018].

, Tang, L., Darlington, G., Ma, D.W.L., Haines, J., and Guelph Family Health Study (2018). "Mothers' and fathers' media parenting practices associated with young children's screen-time: a cross-sectional study". BMC Obes. 5, 37.

Pearson, N., and Biddle, S.J.H. (2011b). "Sedentary behavior and dietary intake in children, adolescents, and adults. A systematic review". Am. J. Prev. Med. 41, 178-188.

Delfino, L.D., Dos Santos Silva, D.A., Tebar, W.R., Zanuto, E.F., Codogno, J.S., Fernandes, R.A., and Christofaro, D.G. (2018). "Screen time by different devices in adolescents: association with physical inactivity domains and eating habits". J. Sports Med. Phys. Fitness 58, 318-325.

« Etat-des-lieux-confinement_Onaps.pdf » « Status Report- Qurantine » [Online]. [cited: July 13th, 2021]. Retrieved from : https://onaps.fr/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Etat-des-lieuxconfinement_Onaps.pdf

« Qurantine Survey » « [Online]. CORTE. [cited : July 13th, 2021]. Retrieved from: https://codevirusshs.wixsite.com/website/page-vierge

. Maxence FOREST. "LIMITER L'EXPOSITION AUX ÉCRANS DES ENFANTS DE 0 À 6 ANS : REPRÉSENTATIONS ET VÉCU DES PARENTS » « LIMITING EXPOSURE TO SCREENS FOR CHILDREN AGED BETWEEN 0 TO 6 YEARS: PARENTS' REPRESENTATIONS AND EXPERIENCES » . Etude qualitative auprès de parents d'enfants suivis à la PMI de Wattrelos [Online]. 2020.

Poulain T, Vogel M, Neef M, Abicht F, Hilbert A, Genuneit J, et al. " RECIPROCAL ASSOCIATIONS BETWEEN ELECTRONIC MEDIA USE AND BEHAVIORAL DIFFICULTIES IN PRESCHOOLERS". Int J Environ Res Public Health 2018;15(4):814

Chiu YC, Li YF,WuWC, Chiang Tl. "THE AMOUNT OFTELEVISION THATINFANTS AND THEIR PARENTS WATCHED INFLUENCED CHILDREN'S VIEWING HABITS WHEN THEY GOT OLDER".ACTA PAEDIATR 2017;106(6):984-90.

B. Harl a, *, M. Desmurget . « EFFETS DE L'EXPOSITION CHRONIQUE AUX ECRANS SUR LE DEVELOPPEMENT COGNITIF DE L'ENFANT EFFECTS ON CHILDREN'S COGNITIVE DEVELOPMENT OF CHRONIC EXPOSURE TO SCREENS »

Lin, P.-H., Lee, Y.-C., Chen, K.-L., Hsieh, P.-L., Yang, S.-Y., and Lin, Y.-L. (2019). "THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SLEEP QUALITY AND INTERNET ADDICTION AMONG FEMALE COLLEGE STUDENTS. FRONT". Neurosci. 13, 599.

Bach JF, Houd O, Lena P, Tisseron S. 2013. «L'ENFANT ET LES ÉCRANS : UN AVIS DE L'ACADÉMIE DES SCIENCES » THE CHILD AND THE SCREENS: AN OPINION OF THE ACADEMY OF SCIENCES" [Consulted May 4th, 2017 : www.academie-sciences.fr]

Ogrisek M, Houd O, Assathiany R, et al. 2016. « L'ENFANT ET LES ECRANS » « THE CHILD AND THE SCREENS ». Pediatr Pratique;279:9-16

Houd O.2014. « LES ECRANS CHANGENT-ILS LE CERVEAU ? » « DO SCREENS ALTER THE BRAIN?" In: Fournier M, Bedin V, editors. Apprendre ; la petite bibliothèque des Sciences Humaines ». Auxerre : Sciences Humaines.

. Picherot G, et al.2018. « L'ENFANT ET LES ECRANS : LES RECOMMANDATIONS DU GROUPE DE PEDIATRIE GENERALE (SOCIETE FRANÇAISE DE PEDIATRIE) A DESTINATION DES PEDIATRES ET DES FAMILLES » « THE CHILD AND SCREENS: RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE GENERAL PEDIATRICS GROUP (FRENCH PEDIATRICS SOCIETY) FOR PEDIATRICIANS AND FAMILIES ». Perfectionnement en Pdiatrie.

Downloads

Published

2023-05-12

How to Cite

Eddaoudi, S. ., El Boussaadni, Y. ., Mehdaoui, A. ., Bousgheri, F. ., Najdi, A. ., & Oulmaati, A. . (2023). The Impact of Screen Exposure on Children in Morocco. International Journal of Health Sciences, 6(3), 20–28. https://doi.org/10.47941/ijhs.1269

Issue

Section

Articles