DOI: 10.4103/shb.shb_408_25 ISSN: 2772-4204

Internet Screen Exposure Behaviors among Chinese Children and Adolescents: Dynamic Features, Behavioral-psychological Associations, and Influencing Factors

Xiaodong Chang, Houfu Liu, Leiming Shi, Wanru Kong
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Abstract

Introduction:

Globally, screen exposure of children and adolescents has become an important public health issue. Existing studies lack large-scale, multi-year evidence, especially during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) epidemic. This study fills this gap using the national data collected from 2019 to 2022.

Methods:

We used the data on internet use among children and adolescents from a survey conducted by the Department for Safeguarding the Rights and Interests of Youth and China Internet Network Information Center. The survey adopted a multi-stage stratified cluster random sampling method to conduct a nationwide survey on internet use among students across 31 provinces (autonomous regions and municipalities).

Results:

From 2019 to 2022, excessive internet screen time (>2 h/day) among Chinese children and adolescents exhibited a S-shaped trend, while their psychological dependence increased ( P < 0.001). In 2022, the internet penetration rate among children and adolescents has reached 97.2%, indicating that the digital divide in access has been basically eliminated. However, the content creation rate among children and adolescents is only 10.3%, making the digital engagement divide prominent. In addition, the family guardianship structure shows a gradient effect on the risk of children and adolescents’ exposure to internet screens ( P < 0.05).

Conclusion:

Children and adolescents have basically achieved universal internet access, and the main issue has shifted from how to access the internet to how to use it effectively . This phenomenon was particularly strengthened during the COVID-19. The findings underscore the importance of enhancing epidemiological monitoring and implementing interventions involving families, society, and policies.

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