Parental Knowledge and Other Factors Associated with Infants' Exposure to Screens

Abstract

Excessive screen time in children is linked to reduced white matter integrity and developmental delays such as reduced vocabulary. Nevertheless, many parents allow their infants and toddlers to have access to screen devices. The current study examined mothers’ awareness of the American Academy of Pediatrics recommendations, parenting information sources utilized, and motivational and contextual factors associated with screen time exposure in mothers who had a child under the age of two. Results indicated that over 60% of mothers were aware of the recommendations, usually citing educational benefits as their rationale for infant screen time use. Most mothers reported they receive information from medical professionals or online platforms. These findings identify factors that researchers, policy makers, and public health professionals should consider when updating and disseminating information to the public in the near future.