The challenges of screen time in children with typical development and children with developmental disorders during COVID-19 pandemic

BACKGROUND: The significant lifestyle changes that occurred during the lockdown period associated with the COVID-19 pandemic may have had many potential adverse effects on children, in particular, sedentary screen exposure among children, including those with developmental disorders. We conducted a cross-sectional study to investigate and compare the screen time and outdoor activity time of children with typically development (TD) and those with developmental disorders during and before the emergence of COVID-19, and identified the risk factors related to screen time during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: A total of 496 children were surveyed via online questionnaires. Parents or/and children filled in the online questionnaire, including basic characteristics, screen time, outdoor activity time, and other related factors. The Statistical Product and Service Solutions software was used to analyze all data. RESULTS: Children spent less time outdoors (t=14.774, P<0.001) and more time on electronic screens (t=−14.069, P<0.001) during the lockdown period of COVID-19, compared to the periods before COVID-19. Age (P=0.037), pre-COVID-19 screen time (P=0.005), screen time used for learning/education (P<0.001), screen time of siblings (P=0.007), and use of screen devices as electronic babysitters (P=0.005) were risk factors for screen time during the COVID-19 pandemic, while restrictive use of electronic devices by parents (P<0.05) was a protective factor. The screen time of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) was significantly longer than children with TD before COVID-19 pandemic, but there is no statistical difference during the COVID-19 pandemic. CONCLUSIONS: During the COVID-19 pandemic, children’s screen exposure time increased, and outdoor activities decreased significantly. This represents a significant challenge, and we should focus our efforts on managing children’s screen time and promoting healthier lifestyles, including children with typical development, as well as those with developmental disorders.