The Impact of Electronic Devices on Psychophysical Development of Preschool Children

Abstract

The aim of the work was to assess the impact of uncontrolled use of multimedia electronic devices on the psychophysical development of pre-school children. The degree of coordination, concentration and perceptiveness of 74 children aged 4.5–7.0 years, both sexes, depending on the length of the estimated (averaged) daily use time of electronic devices was examined. In addition, it was examined whether gender differentiates the above-mentioned variables. Surveys were carried out among parents. Psychophysical development of children was assessed by three tests examining the level of concentration, coordination and perceptiveness. Half of children in pre-school age used electronic multimedia devices (mainly TV and tablet) from 1 to 2 hours a day. It was shown that for them the amount of time spent with different electronic devices did not significantly affect the results of the tests. The tendency to deteriorate test results was demonstrated by children spending with devices of this type 3–4 hours a day.