THE EFFECT OF SCREEN TIME ON ATTENTION AND SOCIAL INTERACTION IN CHILDREN AGED 6 TO 10: A PARENTAL PERSPECTIVE

The increasing prevalence of digital media use among children has raised concerns about effects on developmental outcomes, particularly attention and social interaction. This quantitative cross-sectional study investigated parental perceptions regarding the impact of screen time on children aged 6 10 in Bangalore. A structured questionnaire was administered to 79 parents, measuring demographic details, screen time patterns, attention-related behaviors, and social interaction. Most children used screens for 1 2 daily hours, with moderate parental concern recorded. Statistical analysis (correlation, regression, ANOVA) indicated that screen time did not significantly predict attention or social interaction scores. Instead, contextual factors such as content, parental mediation, and family environment appear more influential. The findings support balanced approaches emphasizing content quality and parental involvement over rigid time restrictions.