The Effect of Parental Education on Children's Digital Device Usage and Sleep Patterns: a Randomised Controlled Trial

Abstract

Aim The aim of this study was to examine the effects of education given to parents with children between the ages of 6 months and 2 years on children's digital device use time and sleep status. Methods The study was conducted as a randomised controlled trial and was carried out in a Family Health Centre in Turkey between July 2020 and April 2021. The population consisted of parents (N = 166) who met the inclusion criteria. No sampling method was used and the entire population was studied. Parents were given education on the use of digital devices for their children. Data were obtained with a personal information form, digital device use form and child sleep form. The data were analysed with SPSS V23. Ethical principles were followed. Results While the majority of the children in the experimental group watched TV for 60 min or more in the pretest, this rate decreased significantly in the posttest (p < 0.001), and in the comparison between the groups, it was found that the TV watching duration of the children in the posttest showed a significant difference in favour of the experimental group (p < 0.001). A significant difference was found in favour of the experimental group in terms of the effects of digital devices on children's sleep (p < 0.001). A significant difference was found in favour of the experimental group in terms of children's sleep time (p < 0.001), time to fall asleep (p < 0.001), night-time (p < 0.05) and daytime sleep characteristics (p < 0.05) and total daily sleep duration (p < 0.001). Conclusion The education provided to the parents about the negative effects of digital device use on children's sleep status met the need for information; thus, it was effective in the formation of positive knowledge and views. Routine implementation of educational programmes for parents about children's use of digital devices may provide good results for healthy generations.