| Digital Media Usage Trends Among Children Aged 8–11 Years Before and After the COVID-19 |
Kyungjun Kim1 
, Saebom Jeon2
, Sangha Lee1
, Donghee Kim1
, Yunmi Shin1
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1Department of Psychiatry, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, Republic of Korea
2Department of Bigdata, Mokwon University, Daejeon, Republic of Korea |
Correspondence: Yunmi Shin ,Tel: +82-31-219-5180, Fax: +82-31-219-5179, Email: ymshin@ajou.ac.kr
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Received: April 2, 2024 Revised: June 28, 2024 Accepted: August 22, 2024 Published online: April 11, 2025 |
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| Abstract |
Objective
The coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has significantly altered daily life, potentially impacting children’s digital media usage. This study investigates changes in smart device usage among children in South Korea, considering the pandemic’s effects.
Methods
A longitudinal analysis was conducted on a cohort of 313 children aged 8–11 years from 2018 to 2021. The study measured weekly usage of personal computers (PCs), tablet PCs, and smartphones, comparing pre-pandemic (up to 2020) and post-pandemic periods. Partial correlation analysis was employed to assess the impact of COVID-19, controlling for covariates such as age, household income, and parental education.
Results
The analysis revealed a significant increase in smart device usage time following the onset of the pandemic. This increase remained statistically significant even after accounting for covariates. Notably, both age and maternal education level were significant factors influencing device usage.
Conclusion
This study demonstrates a significant shift in the digital behavior of children aged 8–11 in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. The increase in smart device usage underscores the pandemic’s far-reaching impact on children’s daily routines and suggests a need for further research into its long-term effects. The findings highlight the importance of considering external societal changes when analyzing trends in digital media usage among children. |
| Key words
Media use; Children; COVID-19; Longitudinal studies |
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