Impact of Screen Time on Preschool Development: A Cross-Sectional Study in Netrokona, Bangladesh

Background: The growing prevalence of screen time among young children raises concerns regarding its potential effects on early childhood development, particularly in terms of cognitive, social, and behavioral functioning. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate screen time patterns in preschool children and assess their perceived effects on development from the perspective of caregivers. The objective was to explore the relationship between screen exposure and developmental outcomes such as behavior, social interaction, and concentration. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 126 caregiver-child dyads in Netrokona, Bangladesh. Data was collected via structured questionnaires, covering demographic details, screen usage patterns, and caregivers’ observations of developmental behaviors. Descriptive and inferential statistical analysis, including p-values and standard deviations, was used to assess relationships between variables. Pearson's correlation and t-tests were applied to examine associations between screen time duration and development variables. Results: Among the 126 children, 113 (89.7%) were screen users, with a mean age of 4.1 ± 0.6 years. The daily screen time was 2.7 hours (SD = 1.5). Notably, 36 children (28.6%) had 1–2 hours of screen time, and 13 children (10.3%) used screens for over 4 hours. Significant correlations were found between increased screen time and developmental concerns such as restlessness (r = 0.32, p = 0.014) and difficulty concentrating (r = 0.29, p = 0.022). Moreover, 42 children (33.3%) showed restlessness when screen time was reduced, and 25 children (19.8%) had trouble focusing on non-screen tasks. Only 35 caregivers (27.8%) were aware of recommended screen time limits for children. Conclusion: The study highlights significant developmental concerns linked to prolonged screen exposure. Increased awareness and education on screen time guidelines are essential for improving preschool developmental outcomes.