Screen time and COVID-19: Observations from among the college students in India

ABSTRACT

Objectives: The current study aimed to assess the pattern of digital media use and screen time among students during lockdown. It also aimed to explore possible correlates of problematic digital media use and screen-time among students. Methodology: It was a prospective observational study. Students pursuing undergraduate courses in Public and Private State Universities constituted the study universe. The study used a survey approach for data collection. Besides the screen time, the mental well being of the study participants was assessed by the WHO Well-being Index and the personality was assessed using the Big Five Inventory (BFI)-10. Results: A total of 731 responses were included in the analysis. Around 93% self-reported an increase in daily screen time during COVID-19. A small but significant negative correlation between increased screen time and QoL (rs = -0.154, p < .001) was found. Increased screen time due to the use of social media for non-communication purposes was associated with poorer QoL (U = 32947.50;p = .02) and greater COVID stress (U = 32381.50;p = .01). Out of total of 202 students who shared the screenshot of the phone ST function, 145 (71.8%) underestimated their daily smartphone ST, whereas 56 (27.7%) overestimated ST. In the regression analysis the predicted odds of poor mental well-being were 1.430 times greater for subjects with higher neuroticism scores for the overall sample.