A randomized trial of the effects of limiting digital screen use on parent-child synchrony in physical behaviours and family cohesion

Abstract

Engagement in shared activities between parents and children is potentially compromised by the pervasive use of digital screens in familial contexts. In this randomized trial in 326 parent-child dyads nested in 87 families, we investigated the effects of limiting screen use in parents and children on the amount of synchrony in physical behaviors and family cohesion. Families were randomly assigned to wither undergo an extensive screen media reduction intervention or to control. For seven days at baseline and follow-up, parents and children each wore two accelerometers, positioned on the thigh and trunk, 24 hours/day, enabling the second-by-second classification of their physical behaviors. Time-series sequence analysis of physical behavior revealed significant enhancements in dyadic synchrony for the screen reduction group. In shared leisure time, the between-group mean difference in change favored the screen reduction group, with a -0.18 point (95%CI -0.27 to -0.10) decrease in time-warp edit distance dissimilarity score and a 32.9 min/day (95%CI 16.0 to 49.9) of more direct matched activity. Additionally, parents in the screen reduction group reported enhanced family communication, more collaborative tasks, and engagement in new shared activities. Our findings highlight the potential benefits of reducing screen time for improving parent-child behavioral synchrony and familial cohesion.