Prevalence of excessive screen time and its associated factors among schoolchildren in Damascus, Syria: a cross-sectional study

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.