ICT Exposure in Children Younger Than 2 Years: Rates,
Associated Factors, and Health Outcomes
Adisak Plitponkarnpim MD, MPH1,3, Chiranuwat Srikaew MD1, Pongtong Puranitee MD1,
Sakda Arj-Ong Vallibhakara MD, PhD2,3
Affiliation :
1 Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
2 Section for Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
3 Child Safety Promotion and Injury Prevention and Research Center, Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University,
Bangkok, Thailand
Background : The exposure of children on information and communication technology [ICT] devices have raised concern about
the potential harmful effects on children’s health and development. The American Academy of Pediatrics [AAP] has recommended
to limit the time children spending on ICT. In Thailand, the study regarding ICT exposure, its associated factors, and consequences
among children age less than two are limited.
Objective : To investigate the prevalence, impact of associated factors that contribute to children exposing various types of ICT, and
health related consequence outcomes in cognitive and language development.
Materials and Methods : The cross-sectional study of information from the parents of children younger than 2-years-old who visit
Well Baby Clinic [WBC], Pediatric Department, Ramathibodi Hospital, between December 2014 and November 2015. The present
study aimed to (cid:976)ind out the information of exposure and technology devices used, time of screen-time spent, other interested factors
that associated to ICT exposure, usage rate, and health related outcomes. The descriptive statistic and comparative statistics were
used to analyze and summarize. Chi-square tests or Fisher exact test were used to compare among these associated factors and
health related outcomes.
Results : The rates of children exposed to ICT were 98.3 percent. Mean (SD) times of ICT exposure was 16.6±12.9 minutes per
day, and median time (min, max) was 14 (0, 135) minutes per day. The result showed 8.5% of children met the category of high
exposure de(cid:976)inition and 36.2% was moderate exposure. The highest rank of exposure was 95.9% to TV viewing, 78.3% exposed and
used the smartphone/tablets, and 15.4% reported usage or exposure to desktop or laptop computer. Only 0.2% of exposure was
reported using handheld game console. Apart from game console, most parents were not aware of the negative effects of other ICT
devices. The association of ICT exposure with parental education and household income was not found to be statistically signi(cid:976)icant
(p-values >0.05). Regarding developmental issues, signi(cid:976)icant associations among ICT exposure with delay cognitive (p = 0.034)
and language (p = 0.004) development were found.
Conclusion : Most Thai children age younger than 2-years-old were found to be exposed to ICT devices. Most parents lack awareness
of negative effects of ICT exposure. The present study found association between screen-time and level of language and cognitive
developmental delay.
Keywords : ICT, ICT exposure, Screen-time, Children, Game
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