Exploring the impact of Covid-19 on children's social media usage: a pragmatic analysis of excessive screen time and its effects on child development

Mohammad Aminul  Islam; M. Rezaul  Islam

doi:10.35782/JCPP.2023.2.05

Mohammad Aminul Islam Senior Lecturer, Department of Media Studies and Journalism, University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh
M. Rezaul Islam PostDoc Fellow, Center for Family and Child Studies, Research Institute of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates; Professor, Institute of Social Welfare and Research, University of Dhaka, Dhaka, Bangladesh; Academic Fellow, School of Social Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Malaysia

DOI: https://doi.org/10.35782/JCPP.2023.2.05

Keywords: children, Covid-19,, social media usage, excessive screen time, child development

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in significant transformations in people's daily routines worldwide, leading to an unparalleled level of social isolation and reduced physical activity among children. To counteract this, many youngsters have resorted to social media platforms to connect and socialize with their peers. The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of the pandemic on children's social media usage and examine whether this has resulted in an excess of screen time and negative consequences for child development. To achieve this, the research employed a content analysis approach, examining online content relating to children's social media usage during the pandemic, such as articles, blogs, and social media posts. The study focused on themes such as excessive screen time, social isolation, and child development. The findings revealed a substantial increase in children's use of social media platforms during the pandemic, with many spending excessive amounts of time on these platforms due to a lack of alternative activities and social isolation. Additionally, the study found that excessive social media usage was linked to adverse effects on child development in areas such as cognitive, physical, emotional, and social development. These results emphasize the necessity for parents, educators, and policymakers to address the issue of excessive screen time and promote alternative activities that promote healthy child development, given that the COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in increased social media usage by children.