Trends in Screen Time Use Among Children During the COVID-19 Pandemic, July 2019 Through August 2021

Key Points Question Did children’s screen time change from before to during the COVID-19 pandemic? Findings In this cohort study of 228 children aged 4 to 12 years, prepandemic mean total screen time increased 1.75 hours per day in the first pandemic period and 1.11 hours per day in the second pandemic period. Meaning These findings suggest that screen time among children increased during the COVID-19 pandemic and remained elevated after many public health precautions were lifted.

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