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National Health And Morbidity Survey 2016 : Maternal And Child Health (MCH) Volume II : Findings

6.3. Access to Screen Time

Contributors : Maisarah Omar, Noraida Mohamad Kasim, Mohamad Aznuddin Ab Razak, Aminah Bee Mohd Kassim,
Sangita Dharshini Terumalay, Kawselyah Juval, Norazizah Ibrahim Wong, Tahir Aris

6.3.1. Introduction

Screen time is the time spent on screen-based activities each day namely the use of television,
1
computers, tablets, electronic games, hand-held devices or other visual devices. The continuous
development of new technology has led to longer screen time and this can influence a child’s learning
and development.

The American Academy of Paediatrics (AAP) recommends children older than two should watch not
more than 1 to 2 hours of quality entertainment media per day and discourages media use by children
younger than age two. Excessive screen time has been correlated with obesity, sleep disorders,
behavioural problems and attention problems, impaired academic performance and negative effects
2
on vision. Every additional hour of television exposure at 29 months of age corresponds to decreases
in classroom engagement. 3

Evidence also shows that media, both foreground and background have potentially negative effects
and no known positive effects for children younger than 2 years. Background television has the direct
4
effect of distracting a child and the indirect effect of taking parent’s attention away from the child. The
National Health and Morbidity Survey 2016; collected information on exposure to television and
screen time among children age 0 to 59 months.

6.3.2. Findings

6.3.2.1. Any exposure to screen time for children aged 0-23 months and exposure
more than 2 hours for children aged 24-59 months

The prevalence of exposure to any screen time, regardless of duration, for children aged 0-
23 months and more than 2 hours for children aged 24-59 months was 52.2% (95% CI:48.65-
54.69) as shown in (Table 6.3.2.1). Boys showed higher prevalence, 53.4% (95%
CI:50.28-56.48) compared to girls, 50.9% (95% CI:48.19-53.54).

By ethnicity, it was noted that those under ‘Others’ had the highest prevalence at 63.7% (95%
CI:53.43-72.91) followed by Indians at 61.1% (95% CI:54.80-67.09), Other Bumiputera at
55.9% (95% CI:50.17-61.50), Malay at 51.3% (95% CI:48.50-54.07) and lastly Chinese at
47.6% (95% CI:40.59-54.68).

A total of 51.8% (95% CI: 49.32-54.71) Malaysian children have excessive exposure to screen
time. However the permanent residents showed higher prevalence of 88.5% (95% CI: 57.61-
97.74) probably due to smaller numbers of respondents while the prevalence among Non-
Malaysians was 64.7% (95% CI:55.00-73.29). In terms of mother’s education, the prevalence
was highest among mothers who received secondary education at 53.3% (95% CI: 50.59-
56.01) while for father’s education, fathers without formal education showed the highest
prevalence at 56.8% (95% CI: 42.53-70.08).

1. Fang L. K. S. 2015 Screen Time for Children. Health care Tips. http://www.wellfastpharmacy.com/screen-time-for-children/
2. American Academy of Pediatrics , Media Use by Children Younger Than 2 Years, PEDIATRICS Volume 128, Number 5, November 2011,
www.pediatrics.org/cgi/doi/10.1542/peds.2011-1753 doi:10.1542/peds.2011-1753
3. Pagani C.F. & Linda S. 2010. Prospective Associations Between Early Childhood Television Exposure and Academic, Psychosocial, and Physical Well-
being by Middle Childhood. Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med, 164(5), 425-431. doi:doi:10.1001/archpediatrics.2010.50.
4. Certain LK1, Kahn RS. Prevalence, correlates, and trajectory of television viewing among infants and toddlers. Pediatrics. 2002 Apr;109(4):634-42.