The digital child: A cross-sectional survey study on the access to electronic devices in paediatrics

Aim: To explore the use of electronic devices in children and possible risk factors for smartphone ownership and cyberbullying.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey study was conducted involving 62 Italian general paediatricians who administered a close-ended questionnaire about the use of electronic devices to 1732 parents/caregivers.

Results: Data of 2563 children aged 0-14 years were collected. Investigating the electronic device use by parents/caregivers of children aged 0-1 years, 72.5% of mothers were revealed to have the habit to use a smartphone during breastfeeding and bottle-feeding. The ownership of a smartphone was found in 29.5% of children aged 2-14 years, 68.1% considering only children aged 10-14. A higher parental degree level was identified as a protective factor for smartphone ownership by children (OR 0.59; 95% CI 0.36-0.98; p = 0.04 for father; OR 0.51; 95% CI 0.33-0.78; p = 0.002 for mother). A higher risk of cyberbullying was found when caregivers did not use any restrictions on smartphone use (OR 11.92; 95% CI 3.41-41.68; p < 0.001).

Conclusion: The absence of rules for smartphone use represents a risk factor for cyberbullying. In this context, the general paediatrician might play an important role in helping parents/caregivers and their children adopt safer use of electronic devices.