Articles

Impact of Screen Time [PHONES, T.V., SOCIAL MEDIA] on Snacking Frequency in Children [5–14 Years] of Meerut District

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Children today spend a good part of their day in front of some screen or another, and parents often wonder how much of an effect this really has on the way their kids eat. That question is what this study set out to answer. Fifty parents of children aged 5–14 years in Meerut district, Uttar Pradesh, were interviewed using a structured questionnaire as part of a cross-sectional descriptive study, and their answers were analysed using simple frequency and percentage calculations, then laid out in tables and graphs. What came out of the data was fairly consistent: television and mobile use both hovered around 1–2 hours a day for most children (36% and 32% respectively), and screen use was heaviest in the afternoon (56%) rather than morning or night. YouTube Shorts turned out to be the clear favourite among children (42%). Eating in front of a screen was the norm rather than the exception 34% of children always ate this way, and only 8% never did. Interestingly, when parents were asked why their children snack during screen time, taste (26%), hunger (24%) and habit (24%) came up far more often than advertisements (8%), which goes against the common assumption that ads are the main culprit. Nearly half the parents (46%) also mentioned that their child gets irritated if the screen is taken away mid-meal. Taken together, these findings suggest that screen time and snacking have become tightly woven into daily routine for many children in Meerut, and that the fix probably lies less in banning screens outright and more in building steadier mealtime habits and a bit more mindfulness around eating.

Association Between Screen Time Duration and the Incidence of Dry Eye Syndrome Among Educational Staff at Nusa Cendana University

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Background: The rising intensity of digital device use in daily activities contributes to prolonged screen time, which may disrupt tear film stability through reduced blink frequency and increased evaporation. Educational staff represent a high-risk group due to the sedentary nature of their work and prolonged screen exposure in air-conditioned environments that can exacerbate ocular surface disturbances.

Objective: To assess the association between screen time duration and the occurrence of Dry Eye Syndrome (DES) among educational staff at the University of Nusa Cendana.

Methods: This analytical observational study with a cross-sectional design was conducted from September to October 2025. A total of 54 respondents were selected using cluster random sampling. Screen time duration was measured using the Screen Time Questionnaire (STQ), while DES symptoms were evaluated using the Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI). Correlation analysis was performed using the Spearman Rank test.

Results: Most respondents reported a moderate level of screen time exposure (46.3%) and normal ocular status based on OSDI (50%). However, 24.1% of respondents were identified as having severe DES. Statistical analysis demonstrated a significant positive correlation of moderate strength between screen time duration and DES severity (p = 0.003; r = 0.400). Respondents with high and very high screen time exposure tended to exhibit more severe symptomatic manifestations.

Conclusion: Screen time duration is significantly associated with the severity of Dry Eye Syndrome among educational staff. Interventions such as scheduled visual breaks and ergonomic adjustments in the workplace are recommended to reduce the risk of ocular surface disorders.

Understanding the Multifaceted Impacts of Social Media Addiction on Minors: A Comprehensive Analysis of Psychological, Behavioral, and Physiological Dimensions

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Social media platforms have become ubiquitous in modern life, particularly for adolescents. This secondary research explores the impact of social media addiction on minors. Existing literature suggests a complex relationship between social media use and mental health. Studies highlight potential links between excessive use and increased anxiety, depression, and sleep disturbances in minors. Social media can also contribute to social comparison and negative body image perception. Employing a thematic analysis of data from academic journals, scholarly reports, and systematic reviews. The analysis focused on studies published within the last ten years to ensure the findings reflect the latest trends and developments in social media use and its impact on minors. Findings revealed concerning trends, including the negative impact on mental health, the potential for cyberbullying and social isolation, and the influence of family dynamics on social media addiction development. The discussion emphasizes the importance of promoting responsible social media use through open communication between parents and children, media literacy programs in schools, and content moderation efforts by social media platforms. Further research is needed to develop effective interventions and mitigate potential harm to minors’ well-being.

Associations between Duration and Type of Electronic Device Use and Sleep Quality among Bangkok’s High School Students

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High school students are increasingly relying on electronic devices for academics, leisure, and social interactions. Concerns have emerged regarding the impact of extensive device use on adolescent sleep quality, critical for well-being during this transformative phase. Past studies suggest that being exposed to prolonged screen time can disrupt sleeping patterns; interestingly, it can vary based on the device type or screen size as well as gender of users. Therefore, we conducted a study to examine the relationship between electronic devices used before bedtime and sleep quality among high school students in Bangkok, while considering device type, screen size, and gender as crucial variables. Our findings reveal a relationship between electronic device use before bed (p=0.008), and gender (p=<0.001) are associated significantly with sleep quality. Notably, we observed that prolonged screen time, particularly on larger screens like laptops (p=0.049), is associated with more disruptions in sleep patterns. Moreover, the duration of electronic devices usage before bed and gender has distinct and notable effects on sleep quality. However, high school students in Bangkok may have unique lifestyles that can significantly impact how electronic devices are integrated into daily routines, potentially exacerbating sleep disruptions. Therefore, further research is required to seek other causes affecting sleep quality. This could be useful in promoting h.