This study assessed the prevalence of excessive screen time (≥ 2 h/day) among schoolchildren in Damascus, Syria, and identified associated sociodemographic and device-related factors. A cross-sectional, school-based survey was conducted from 2023 to 2024 using multi-stage cluster sampling to recruit 892 children aged 11–14 from 22 schools across Damascus. Data were collected via anthropometric measurements and structured questionnaires. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression were used to identify predictors of excessive screen time. Overall, 85.1% of children exceeded recommended screen time limits, with a mean daily duration of 3.44 ± 1.60 h. Male participants were nearly four times more likely than females to exceed recommendations (OR = 3.902, 95% CI 2.366–6.436), and obesity was associated with excessive screen use (OR = 2.659, 95% CI 1.457–4.852). Television viewing presented a significant risk (OR = 4.898), while owning a personal device was the strongest predictor (OR = 11.359). Bedtime screen use and prolonged device exposure (≥ 5 years) further increased the risk. These findings highlight a high prevalence of excessive screen time, driven by modifiable behavioral and device-related factors. The results underscore the importance of targeted interventions to foster balanced digital habits and mitigate health risks associated with prolonged screen exposure.
Alshayeb et al. (Thu,) studied this question.