Uso excessivo de telas em pré-escolares: análise situacional e contribuições para o cuidado na estratégia de saúde da família

Abstract

Excessive screen use has caused negative impacts on child health, particularly affecting child development. Despite the benefits of technology, the inappropriate use of electronic devices may lead to neurocognitive, behavioral, and social impairments. In this context, the role of nurses in guiding families within Primary Health Care becomes essential. Given the above, the objective of this study is to analyze screen use among preschool children in the context of Primary Health Care, through a situational analysis, in order to support care practices within the Family Health Strategy. This is a cross-sectional study with a quantitative approach. A non-probabilistic convenience sample was used, including 43 families with children aged two to five years enrolled in Early Childhood Education Centers linked to a Primary Health Care unit in Fortaleza, Brazil. The study was conducted in a school setting between March and December 2024. Validated questionnaires were used to assess screen time, sleep, and sociodemographic variables. The study was approved by the Research Ethics Committee under protocol number 5,755,168. The results showed a high level of exposure to television and mobile devices during both weekdays and weekends, exceeding recommended limits, while time spent in play activities was moderate. A higher prevalence of screen use was observed among children who do not receive routine visits from Primary Health Care professionals. Most children presented inadequate sleep patterns, especially on weekdays. Excessive screen use was significantly associated with insufficient sleep, particularly excessive television use during the week. Parental practices showed limited encouragement of physical activity and behaviors that favor sedentary lifestyles. Despite adequate hygiene routines and interaction before bedtime, screen exposure remains high, negatively impacting children's sleep. Thus, the study revealed a central maternal role in caregiving, limited home-based care, and high levels of sedentary behavior among children, marked by excessive screen use. Restrictive parental practices and low encouragement of physical activity reinforce this scenario. As a technological product, this study proposes, based on its findings, a preliminary version of a Flowchart for the Evaluation and Management of Excessive Screen Use in child health care (puericulture). The role of nurses and health education during child health consultations is highlighted, focusing on promoting healthy child development and expanding professional awareness of the challenges posed by technology use in early childhood