Parent's Perception Regarding the Effects of Excessive Use of Mobile Phone on Children's Health: A Sociological Study in City Dera Ghazi Khan

The use of mobile phones among children has major effects on their health. Excessive and unrestricted use of mobile phones can contribute to various physical and psychological problems. Physically, children who spend excessive time on their phones often lead sedentary lifestyles, which can result in weight gain, obesity, and related health issues. Additionally, poor posture while using mobile phones can lead to musculoskeletal problems, causing discomfort and pain in the neck, back, and shoulders. The study objectives were i) to investigate the awareness level among parents regarding the potential health effects of excessive mobile phone use on children, ii) to examine the perception and attitudes of parents towards the use of children's mobile phones and its adverse effects on children's health as well as study the factors influencing parents decision regarding use of children mobile phone, and iii) to explore the knowledge gap among parents regarding the recommended guidelines for managing children's mobile phone usage. For this study, 280 parents were selected as respondents through a multistage sampling technique. At the first stage, 4 urban union councils (UC # 7 "Block–H", UC # 9 "Block–5", UC # 12 "Khayaban–e–Sarwar", and UC # 16 "Model Town") out of a total of 7 union councils were chosen using a simple random sampling method. At the second stage, 8 localities (two from each union council) were selected through a simple random sampling procedure. At third stage, 35 parents (as respondents) were selected from each locality using a purposive sampling technique. The results indicated that majority of parents (60.7%) were female , were age bunch from 31-40 years (52.5%), said their education was matriculation to upto graduation level (53.6%), were married (98.9%), and having 1–3 children (52.9%) were housewives (48.9%). The results also depicted majority (70.0%) of respondents said their household monthly income was 20,000– upto 50,000 rupees, parents' replied upto 6 hours spent their children to use mobile phone in a day (68.9%), parents sometimes allowed their children to use mobile phone in free time (77.9%) and sometimes allowed their children to use mobile phone in childhood (68.9%). Data regarding various purpose their children use mobile phone i.e. majority (71.4%) of the respondents said that children often use mobile phone for playing games; movies (47.9%); cartoons (55.0%); DIY crafts (49.6%); animated stories (54.3%); motivational content (49.3%); and educational Apps (48.9%). The results indicated that majority of parents (83.9%) were agreed that excessive mobile phone utilization cause neurological (mental health) issues in youngsters', mobile phone helped their child to stay organized (80.0%), mobile phone use likely obstruction with parent-kid association (78.2%) and empowering age-fitting substance and applications for youngsters deal with kids' cell phone utilization (85.3%). The bivariate analysis hypothesis showed that more hours spend by children on mobile phone in a day had significant relationship between more the risk of neurological (brain development) problems (χ2 = 33.882, p < .006). More hours spend by children on mobile phone in a day had significant correlation between more the potential interference with parent-child interaction (χ2 = 30.376, p < .016). Parents more allow to use mobile phone children's in free time had significant association between lower the children stay organized (χ2 = 21.748, p < .005). Parents more allow to use mobile phone children's in childhood had highly significant relationship between lower encourage age-appropriate content and apps to manage children's mobile phone usage (χ2 = 25.726, p < .001). The study was suggested that parents should be monitoring apps and games children download manage children’s mobile phone usage.