Published Paper Details:

The rapid proliferation of mobile phones has significantly altered the daily environment of young children, even during early childhood years. Mobile phones are now frequently used not only for communication but also as tools for entertainment, learning, and behavioural management within households. Children aged 3-8 years, a critical developmental period characterized by rapid cognitive, emotional, and social growth, are increasingly exposed to screen-based devices, often under parental supervision or control. To assess parental perspectives on mobile phone use patterns among young children aged 3-8 years, including duration, purpose, supervision, and associated behavioral concerns. Methods A quantitative, descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 200 parents (expanded from initial target of 120 for enhanced representativeness) selected through convenience sampling from selected community and school settings in Sri Ganganagar district, Rajasthan. Data were collected using a structured parent-reported questionnaire and a self-developed behavior checklist. Descriptive statistics (frequencies, percentages) were used for data analysis. Results The majority of parents were aged 30-39 years (59%) and mothers (64%). Most children (43%) used mobile phones for 1-2 hours daily, primarily for entertainment (59%), with only 36% always supervised. Behavioral concerns were common, with 59% of children showing irritability when phones were removed and a mean behavioral concern score of 3.27 (SD = 1.45, range 0-8). Conclusion High entertainment-driven use, limited supervision, and prevalent behavioral concerns highlight the need for parental education on safe mobile phone practices to mitigate developmental risks in early childhood.