HOW DOES THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC AFFECT YOUNG CHILDREN’S SCREEN TIME? THE ROLE OF BIOECOLOGICAL FACTORS

During the COVID-19 pandemic, young children faced a shift to online education due to social isolation rules, resulting in increased time spent in front of digital screens. Even before the pandemic, the World Health Organization had recommended limiting screen time for young children as extended screen exposure was becoming more common with the increased prevalence of digital tools. This study aimed to examine the status of young children’s screen time during the COVID-19 pandemic and explore the factors influencing it, encompassing child, parent, and environmental dynamics. Through a large-scale online survey, 1,346 parents with children aged 2 to 6 from all 81 provinces of Türkiye participated in the research. Hierarchical linear regression analysis revealed that age, digital device ownership, parental screen time, and mediation strategies were positively associated with children’s screen time, while higher parental income, education, and engagement in dramatic play were negatively correlated. These findings underscore the importance of targeted interventions to achieve a healthier degree of screen usage among young children. Policymakers can play a role in raising awareness about limiting both parent and child screen time and promoting screen-free activities within the home environment, thereby contributing to improving the balance between screen usage and other activities among young children as society moves beyond the pandemic.