Assessing Parental Awareness of the Health Impacts of Excessive Smartphone/Tablet usage in Children in the Greater Accra Region, Ghana

Abstract

Introduction: Children can benefit from having gadgets because they can be creative through mobile games or creative applications that stimulate their senses and imagination. However, if children use gadgets without parental supervision, they run the risk of becoming dependent on them and developing an addiction. The purpose of this study is to show how children's use of technology affects their development and acceptance. Face-to-face interviews were used to select fifteen informants from children, caregivers, parents, and educators. Methodology: The study adopted a quantitative study that employs a cross-sectional survey approach to assess parental awareness of the health impacts of excessive smartphone/tablet usage in children within the Tema Municipality in the Greater Accra Region. The study site was Tema Municipality in the Greater Accra Region. Also, the population included parents whose children attend private and public schools within the metropolis. Also, parents whose children are less than 15 years old, whose children use smartphone-tablet. A sample size of 200 was selected using purposive sampling techniques. Data was collected through questionnaires, ensuring confidentiality. Data was stored securely, and analysis involved descriptive statistics using SPSS version 26. Results: According to the findings, the kids are okay with using gadgets because they are useful and easy to use. However, children's social lives, health, speech delay, and cognitive abilities were all negatively impacted by their use of technology, which could also have an impact on their education in the long run. Conclusion: The study provides comprehensive insights into children's gadget usage, parental awareness, and educational performance. It reveals that most children actively engage with smartphones and tablets, while a subset refrains from their use. Smartphones and tablets have emerged as dominant devices, highlighting a balanced preference for handheld and larger screens.