THE CONSEQUENCES OF EXCESSIVE USE OF TOUCH SCREENS ON CHILDREN'S OCCUPATIONAL PARTICIPATION

Abstract

Abstract: The study investigates the influence of excessive use of touch screens on children's occupational performance, considering the occupations of Activities of Daily Living (ADLs), play, education, and social participation. It highlights the implications of digital interactions in childhood, considering both the benefits and risks associated with the use of mobile devices. An integrative literature review was conducted in academic databases such as BVS (Virtual Health Library), IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers), PubMed, Scielo (Scientific Electronic Library Online), and Science Direct, with the data analyzed qualitatively. Among the six selected articles, it was identified that screens are used as therapeutic resources and /or assistive technology for children with cerebral palsy, ADHD, physical dysfunctions, and/or developmental delays.  It was also observed that excessive and continuous screen use in children's routines is associated with unsatisfactory school performance, poor sleep quality symptoms of anxiety, depression, and ADHD, a higher incidence of myopia, eating disorders, lower performance in manipulative activities, and neuropsychomotor development delays which collectively negatively impact children's participation and occupational performance. The study concludes that it is essential for occupational therapists to provide guidance to families and educators regarding children's exposure time to touch screens, as well as to teach strategies that integrate digital interactions into their routines to mitigate negative effects. It emphasizes the scarcity of scientific production from occupational therapy concerning the functional impact of excessive use of touch screens on children's occupational performance.

Keywords: Occupational therapy; children; touch screens; occupational performance; manipulative skill.