DefinePK

Abstract

Introduction: Covid -19 pandemic has forced a rapid shift from classrooms to screens, increasing the screen time for academics and entertainment.
Objective: To investigate the impact of screen time on Social relationship and reciprocity, Emotional responsiveness, and Speech, language, and communication among pre-school children.
Methods: The scope of the study is restricted to 50 Anganwadi-going children between the ages 3-5 years. The assessment was done using the first three domains of ISAA (Indian Scale for Autism Assessment), with parental feedback, the average screen time in minutes per day was taken. Statistical analysis was done to correlate the ISAA score with average screen time.
Results: Indicated negative correlation between screen time and these developmental domains- Social relationship and reciprocity, Emotional responsiveness, and Speech language and communication.
Conclusion: This study highlights the need for early parental supervision in screen time and training for anganwadi/preschool teachers to monitor developmental milestones.
Future directive: Strategies need to be formed for novel social interactive platforms for real-world social interaction for children from an early age.