The effect of screen exposure time on sleep in kiindergarten children (5-6 years old)

This descriptive study was conducted to investigate the effect of screen exposure time on sleep in kindergarten children (5-6 years old). The study was conducted with the parents of 268 children studying in state primary education kindergarten classes affiliated to Trabzon Ortahisar District Directorate of National Education. Data were collected using the Child and Parent Diagnostic Information Form, Sleep Disorder Scale for Children and Problematic Media Use Scale (Parent Form). Standard deviation, arithmetic mean, frequency and percentage were used in data analysis. "Independent Sample t Test" test was used for the comparison of paired groups with normal distribution and "One-Way ANOVA" test was used for the comparison of more than two groups. Linear Regression and Pearson Correlation were used to analyse the relationship and effect between the scales. It was determined that 53.7% of the children were girls, 65.3% were six years old and they slept an average of 9.98±1.34 hours per day. It was determined that five-year-old children slept approximately 8-10 hours a day and six-year-old children slept 9-11 hours a day on average. The average daily screen exposure time of children was found to be 2.91±1.56. It was determined that children were exposed to television screen in the first place, smartphone screen in the second place and tablet screen in the third place. It was determined that 14.6% of children were exposed to five or more screens and 40.7% of children were exposed to screens for three to four hours a day, and 55.6% of parents had the perception that screen exposure negatively affected children. The effect of problematic media use on sleep disturbance was determined at a rate of 29.7%. As a result, it was determined that approximately one fourth of the children had sleep problems. In children with sleep problems, authorities such as families, teachers, health professionals who are aware that the child is affected should not ignore screen exposure and should adopt it as a problem in the solution. The child should be made aware of using the screen between certain hours and the screen exposure time should be shortened with other remarkable activities.