• Jennifer Sh Kiing, Ying Qi Kang, Kalyani Vijaykumar Mulay, Tammy Sh Lim, Shang Chee Chong, Mae Yue Tan, Yiong Huak Chan, Alicia Sy Lim, and Ramkumar Aishworiya.
• Child Development Unit, Khoo Teck Puat-National University Children's Medical Institute, National University Hospital, Singapore.
• Ann Acad Med Singap. 2024 Jul 24; 53 (7): 410419410-419.

IntroductionThis study aimed to determine patterns of screen viewing time (SVT) in preschool children with developmental, behavioural or emotional (DBE) issues, and to identify its relationship with social-emotional development.MethodThis cross-sectional study involved children aged 0-5 years who were referred to a developmental paediatric clinic for DBE issues. Parents completed a screen time questionnaire, and the Devereux Early Childhood Assessment-Clinical (DECA-C) question-naire which assessed the social-emotional competence of the children. Data were analysed using logistic regression, correlational analyses and tests of comparison.ResultsAmong 225 children (mean age: 32.4 months), mean daily SVT was 138 minutes. More than half (51.1%) of the children had clinical features of language delay, while 26.6% had features suggestive of autism spectrum disorder. Screen time was first introduced at a mean age of 13.8 months, with 32.4% of children previously experiencing higher SVT. Compared to SVT introduction after 1 year of age, SVT in the first 12 months was primarily to facilitate feeding (P<0.05). Children with higher past SVT had poorer attention, more aggression, and increased behavioural concerns. Children with DBE issues have significantly more screen time than same-aged peers.ConclusionChildren with DBE issues are exposed to SVT at a very young age and have significantly more screen time than their peers. It is crucial to guide parents to reduce SVT in early childhood, particularly around mealtimes.

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