Interventions for Reducing Screen Time of Preschoolers: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials.

Abstract

Preschool-aged children are growing up in an environment saturated with screens, which provokes a significant public health issue, given its potential associations with adverse physical, cognitive, and psychosocial outcomes. The present article aims to systematically summarize the interventions for reducing screen time in preschool-aged children. A systematic review of relevant articles was carried out using 5 main databases until October 15, 2023. From 71 studies initially found, eight were included in the qualitative synthesis. It was provided a methodological assessment of various studies based on 10 criteria, with scores ranging from 12 to 20 out of the total possible score, indicating the extent to which each study adhered to key methodological standards. Various interventions targeting preschool-aged children's screen time showed mixed results. While some, like the Parents' Screen Time Reduction Program, led to significant reductions in screen time and improved parental attitudes and behaviors, others, such as short counseling interventions, did not yield significant changes. Screen time among preschoolers can be effectively reduced by targeting parents' knowledge and attitude through comprehensive, parent-involved approaches involving repeated reinforcement and teaching them about the consequences of screen time and how they can proceed to reduce it for their children.