Emotional and behavioural problems in school children and parental monitoring in relation to smartphone use: a community-based observation study

Background: In this technology-driven world, smartphones have become a significant part of our lives, with the COVID-19 pandemic further increasing their usage in children. This surge has raised concerns regarding problematic smartphone use and its impact on mental health, particularly emotional and behavioural problems in school-aged children. Aim of the study was to assess emotional and behavioural problems in school children and parental monitoring in relation to smartphone use Methods: The study was conducted among students of Jorhat District, Assam. Multistage random sampling was applied to obtain the sample size parental monitoring of children’s digital activity (PARMON- CDA) scale. Both rural and urban schools were included. Emotional and behavioural problems were assessed using the strengths and difficulties questionnaire (SDQ). Problematic smartphone use (PSU) was assessed using the smartphone addiction scale–short version (SAS-SV). Parental monitoring over smartphone use was assessed using the PARMON-CDA questionnaire. Data analysed using appropriate statistical methods to determine associations between variables. Results: Prevalence of emotional and behavioural problems was found to be 16.9%. The prevalence of smartphone addiction was found to be 25.28% in boys and 21.47% in girls. Statistical analysis revealed a positive correlation between problematic smartphone use and emotional and behavioural problems, while parental monitoring of smartphone use was negatively correlated with emotional and behavioural problems Conclusions: The study highlights a positive correlation between excessive smartphone use and emotional and behavioural problems in children, emphasizing the need for effective parental monitoring and school-based interventions.