The influence of screen time on behaviour and emotional problems among adolescents: A comparison study of the pre-, peak, and post-peak periods of COVID-19

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has brought drastic changes globally in the past three years, one of which is an increase in the use of digital media or electronic devices. Previous studies have shown that long screen time may stimulate the neurobiological system, resulting in various behavioural and emotional problems; however, there is insufficient population-based evidence. This study aimed to investigate the influence of screen time on behavioural and emotional problems in Indonesian adolescents at three time points: the pre-, peak, and post-peak periods of COVID-19. Data were collected using an online community mental health survey. This survey incorporated the Youth Screen Time Survey to gauge screen time and the adolescent version of the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire to assess emotional, conduct, and prosocial behaviour problems. The participants were adolescents in secondary and senior high schools, with 337, 423, and 1,096 participants from the pre-, peak-, and post-pandemic periods, respectively, included in the analysis. Daily average screen time was compared, followed by the calculation of odds ratios for screen time and mental health problems during the different periods. The results demonstrated significant differences in adolescents’ total daily average screen time between the different pandemic periods. Decreased screen time was associated with reduced emotional, conduct, and prosocial behaviour problems, especially during the peak period. Thus, psychoeducation on screen time in adolescents should be considered as a point of interest for mental well-being interventions.