Impact of electronic devices on the life of children: A cross sectional study from Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia

Karthiyayini Unplagan; Barathi Balasubramaniam; Thiwya Premkumar; Joey Lim Chu Chien; Annushia Sivaji  Rao; Ratna Agustina Sibarani Ahmat  Rasit

doi:10.5281/zenodo.6319698

Karthiyayini Unplagan
Barathi Balasubramaniam Final year MBBS student, Faculty of Medicine, Quest International University Perak, No. 227, Plaza Teh Teng Seng (level 2), Jalan Raja Permaisuri Bainun, 30250 Ipoh, Perak Darul Ridzuan, Malaysia
Thiwya Premkumar
Joey Lim Chu Chien Final year MBBS student, Faculty of Medicine, Quest International University Perak, No. 227, Plaza Teh Teng Seng (level 2), Jalan Raja Permaisuri Bainun, 30250 Ipoh, Perak Darul Ridzuan, Malaysia
Annushia Sivaji Rao Final year MBBS student, Faculty of Medicine, Quest International University Perak, No. 227, Plaza Teh Teng Seng (level 2), Jalan Raja Permaisuri Bainun, 30250 Ipoh, Perak Darul Ridzuan, Malaysia
Ratna Agustina Sibarani Ahmat Rasit Final year MBBS student, Faculty of Medicine, Quest International University Perak, No. 227, Plaza Teh Teng Seng (level 2), Jalan Raja Permaisuri Bainun, 30250 Ipoh, Perak Darul Ridzuan, Malaysia

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.6319698

Keywords: Electronic devices, examination, sleep, social media

Abstract

Introduction:

The prevalence of electronic device usage by children has been increasing at an alarming rate. The contributing factors are parents, peers, media, society, and children themselves. Thus, the aim of this research was to help both children and parents to understand the consequences of excessive use of electronic gadgets as well as to rationalize their thought to control the usage.

Methods:

A cross-sectional study was conducted from April 2017 to April 2018 among children aged 6 to 11 years old in a community setting. 174 children participated in this study. SPSS version 20 was used to determine the association between time spent on electronic devices and the impact on the children’s life.

Results:

A majority of children 105 (60.3%) obtained insufficient sleep which is less than 9 hours. There is a significant mean rank difference of average time spent on electronic devices between gender (p = 0.009). Male spent more time on electronic devices compared to females.

Conclusion:

Spending more timing on electronic devices leads to health problems and insufficient sleep. It may reflect on exam performances. So we suggest limiting media exposure to the children less than an hour. Parents should play a crucial role in teaching them how to use technology safely. Family members should be very careful to monitor children’s media content. If required, addicted children should be given proper rehabilitation therapy to get rid of such a problem.