Effects of the excessive use of electronic screens on vision and emotional state / Efeitos do uso excessivo de telas eletrônicas na visão e no estado emocional

ABSTRACT Objective To investigate relations between electronic screen use and eye health in a representative sample of the Brazilian population. Methods Data were collected online and analyzed at a private Brazilian hospital (Provisão Hospital, Maringá, Brazil). Male and female individuals aged 12 to 35 years participated in the study. A population-based cross-sectional survey based on a questionnaire developed using the Google Forms interface was carried out. The questionnaire was answered anonymously in order to ensure the confidentiality of data and the privacy of participants. Data were collected between October 13, 2020, and January 30, 2021. Results A total of 200 questionnaires were completed. Most responders were young people aged 18 to 27 years. Daily electronic device use time reported by responders ranged from more than 5 hours (150; 75.5%) to 3 to 5 hours/day (28; 14%) or 2 to 3 hours/day (16; 8%). Only a small proportion of responders (2.5%) used these devices less than 1 hour per day. Most participants had myopia (164; 84%) and/or astigmatism (151; 75.5%), whereas keratoconus was less prevalent (34; 17%). However, 92 participants were unable to say whether they had these diseases or not. Most participants reported eye symptoms after screen use (red eyes, fatigue, dry and gritty eyes and blurred vision). Mental issues such as smartphone dependence and difficulties to communicate while using electronic devices were also addressed. Most responders reported dependence and communication problems. Conclusions Most young people in this sample had sings of eye disease, including keratoconus. Smartphone dependence and addition was also observed. Findings presented may inform future studies and help health authorities to properly guide public health strategies aimed at eye disease prevention.

RESUMO Objetivo Investigar o uso de telas na saúde ocular em uma amostra populacional brasileira. Métodos Os dados foram adquiridos on-line, e as análises foram realizadas em uma clínica privada na Região Sul do Brasil. Os participantes foram indivíduos de 12 a 35 anos, de ambos os sexos. Foi realizada pesquisa transversal de base populacional por meio de questionário elaborado na plataforma Google Forms. O questionário foi respondido de forma anônima, mantendo o sigilo dos dados coletados e a privacidade dos participantes. A coleta de dados teve início em 13 de outubro de 2020 e término em 30 de janeiro de 2021. Resultados Foram respondidos 200 questionários. A maioria foi de jovens entre 18 e 27 anos. O tempo de uso de dispositivos eletrônicos durante o dia foi de mais de 5 horas para 150 (75,5%) entrevistados, 28 (14%) gastavam de 3 a 5 horas por dia, 16 (8%) de 2 a 3 horas por dia e uma pequena parte dos entrevistados (2,5%) usava menos de 1 hora por dia. A maioria dos participantes tinha miopia (164; 84%) e/ou astigmatismo (151; 75,5%). Ceratocone foi menos prevalente (34; 17%), entretanto 92 pessoas não sabiam a resposta. A maioria dos participantes teve problemas nos olhos após o uso da tela, como olhos vermelhos, cansados e secos, além de visão turva. Questões mentais, como dependência de smartphones e dificuldade de comunicação durante o uso do dispositivo, também foram abordadas. A maioria dos entrevistados demonstrou dependência e problemas de comunicação. Conclusões A maior parte dos jovens apresentou quadro de doenças oculares, incluindo ceratocone. Dependência e adição de smartphone também foram observados. Esses resultados apoiam a identificação de fatores associados à patologia ocular, servindo de base para estudos futuros, e podem auxiliar às autoridades de saúde no direcionamento adequado das atividades de prevenção e controle em saúde pública.

Children's use of interactive media in early childhood - an epidemiological study / A utilização de mídias interativas por crianças na primeira infância - um estudo epidemiológico

ABSTRACT Objective: To describe the prevalence of interactive media (tablets and smartphones) use by children aged two to four years old, as well as to characterize this use, and investigate habits, practices, parents' participation and opinion about their child's interactive media use. Methods: A cross-sectional study with 244 parents or legal guardians of children enrolled in daycare centers in a small Brazilian municipality was conducted. A questionnaire based on interactive media use and related habits were applied, and economic level was assessed. Children were divided into three different groups according to media use: Group 1 did not use (n=81); Group 2 uses up to 45 min/day (n=83) and Group 3 uses more than 45 min/day (n=80). Then, they were compared with regard to the sociodemographic variables and media use by the Chi-square test and Student's t-test. Results: The prevalence of interactive media use was 67.2%, with a mean time of use of 69.2 minutes/day (confidence interval of 95% - 95%CI 57.1-81.2). The activities most performed were watching videos (55%), listening to music (33%) and playing games (28%). Most parents reported allowing media use in order to stimulate their child's development (58.4%), accompanying them during use (75.2%), and limiting media time (86.4%). Conclusions: We observed high interactive media use prevalence. The predominant way of using these devices was marked by parent-child participation. Most parents reported believing in the benefits of interactive media. Passive activities were more frequent, with restricted time of use.

RESUMO Objetivo: Descrever a prevalência do uso de mídias interativas (tablets e smartphones) pelas crianças de dois a quatro anos de idade, assim como caracterizar esse uso, investigar hábitos, práticas, participação e opinião dos pais acerca da sua utilização. Métodos: Estudo transversal com 244 pais ou responsáveis de crianças matriculadas em creches de um município brasileiro de pequeno porte. Foi aplicado um questionário sobre hábitos de utilização de mídias interativas e investigação do nível econômico. As crianças foram divididas em 3 grupos de acordo com o uso das mídias: grupo 1 - não utiliza; grupo 2 - utiliza até 45 minutos por dia; e grupo 3 - utiliza mais do que 45 minutos por dia. Os grupos foram comparados quanto às variáveis sociodemográficas e de caracterização do uso das mídias por meio dos testes do qui-quadrado e t de Student. Resultados: A prevalência do uso de mídias interativas foi de 67,2%, com tempo médio de utilização de 69,2 minutos por dia (intervalo de confiança de 95% - IC95% 57,1-81,2). As atividades mais realizadas foram: ver vídeos (55%), escutar músicas (33%) e jogar games (28%). A maioria dos pais relatou permitir a utilização da mídia para estimular o desenvolvimento do seu filho (58,4%), acompanhá-lo durante o uso (75,2%) e limitar o tempo com a mídia (86,4%). Conclusões: Observou-se elevada prevalência do uso de mídias interativas. A forma predominante de utilização das mídias envolve conjuntamente crianças e pais, os quais acreditam nos seus efeitos benéficos. Atividades passivas são as mais realizadas, com restrição do tempo de uso.

Benefits and damages of the use of touchscreen devices for the development and behavior of children under 5 years old­a systematic review

Abstract Aim: Several health organizations have been expressing concern about the amount of time children spend using electronic devices and about the benefits and damages of the use of touchscreen devices, such as smartphones or tablets, for the development and behavior of children under the age of 5. A systematic review was carried out in order to understand the impact of touchscreen device usage toward children's development and behavior under the age of 5. Methods: Using the PRISMA method, from a total of 6314 studies found in online databases, searched in English, between 01/01/2000 and 01/10/2018, 11 studies were selected for analysis. Results: The results revealed that, in children under the age of 5, the damages of the use of touchscreen devices are superior to the benefits that may result, especially when there are more hours of screen time. More importance is given to the quality of the child-adult relationship and not to the use of touchscreen devices. Nevertheless, some studies emphasize some aspects that may reduce the negative effects, such as moderate use, less screen time, parental monitoring, and viewing educational programs in an academic environment. Conclusions: Guidelines that should be given to parents about the use of touchscreen devices by children are discussed. The limitation of this study was the difficulty in finding studies directed to the desired age and type of electronic device. This may be taken as a potential cause of bias.

Uso de pantallas en niños pequeños en una ciudad de Argentina / Screen use among young children in a city of Argentina

La utilización de dispositivos móviles se ha generalizado en las familias, en todas las clases sociales y desde edades tempranas. Objetivos: Evaluar el uso de pantallas fijas y móviles en niños pequeños, el tiempo dedicado a actividades infantiles tradicionales y su relación con el nivel educativo materno. Material y métodos: Diseño descriptivo, transversal. Población: niños de 6 meses a 5 años atendidos en Río Cuarto, Córdoba, de julio a septiembre de 2016. Variables: demográficas, ingreso familiar, edad de comienzo, frecuencia de uso, minutos diarios, otras actividades. Resultados: Se incluyeron 160 encuestas; 99% de los hogares tenía televisión y 98,75%, smartphones. Promedio de aparatos electrónicos: 5,68; los de menores ingresos: 5,1 (DE 1,57); y los de mayores ingresos: 6,32 (DE 1,18) (p = 0,0000). Antes de los 2 años, 80,3% de los niños miraba televisión y 37,4% utilizaba pantallas táctiles con ayuda. Entre 2 y 4 años, 38,7% utilizaba pantallas sin ayuda. El 93% de los niños miró televisión y el 56% utilizó pantallas móviles con mucha frecuencia. Miraron un promedio de 75,6 minutos diarios de televisión y utilizaron otras pantallas 31,3 minutos; la lectura ocupó 20,4 minutos. Las madres con estudios terciarios dedicaron más tiempo a la lectura de libros que las que tenían estudios secundarios o primarios (análisis de la varianza: p = 0,00007). Conclusiones: El equipamiento tecnológico de los hogares es prácticamente universal; la exposición de los niños a las pantallas es temprana. La televisión es más utilizada, pero las pantallas móviles ocupan un tiempo importante. Las madres con estudios superiores dedican más tiempo a la lectura.

The use of mobile devices has become ubiquitous in the family, across all social strata, and from an early age.Objectives: To assess the use of mobile and fixed screens among young children, the time spent doing traditional childhood activities, and the relationship to the maternal level of education. Material and methods: Descriptive, cross-sectional design. Population:Children aged 6 months to 5 years seen in Río Cuarto, Córdoba, between July and September 2016. Outcome measures: Demographics, family income, age at initiation, frequency of use, daily minutes, other activities. Results: 160 surveys were included; 99% of households had a TV and 98.75%, a smartphone. Average number of electronic devices: 5.68; among lower income households: 5.1 (standard deviation [SD]: 1.57); and among higher income households: 6.32 (SD: 1.18) (p = 0.0000).By the age of 2, 80.3% of children watched TV and 37.4% used touchscreen devices with help. Between 2 and 4 years old, 38.7% used screens without help.Also, 93% of children watched TV and 56% used mobile screens very frequently. Children watched TV for an average of 75.6 daily minutes and used other screens for 31.3 minutes, whereas reading only accounted for 20.4 minutes. Mothers who had completed tertiary education spent more time reading books than those who had completed primary or secondary education (analysis of variance: p = 0.00007). Conclusions: Household technological equipment is practically universal; children's exposure to screens starts at an early age. TV is the most commonly used screen although mobile screens take up a significant time. Mothers who had completed higher education spent more time reading.