The Influence of Social Media Exposure on Dietary Behaviors and Dental Caries Prevalence Among Pediatric Patients

Background: The exponential rise in digital media consumption among children has raised concerns regarding its multidimensional impact on health. This study aimed to assess the influence of social media exposure and daily screen time on dietary behaviors, oral hygiene practices, and the prevalence of dental caries among pediatric patients in Jordan. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted involving 201 children aged 6–12 years attending private dental clinics. Data were collected using a validated questionnaire assessing daily screen time duration, platform usage, snacking habits, and the influence of digital advertisements. A clinical examination was performed to record dental caries experience (dmft/DMFT indices) and oral hygiene status (OHI-S). Results: High screen time (> 3 hours/day) was reported by 42.5% of participants. The analysis revealed significant associations between excessive screen time and cariogenic behaviors, including “always” snacking while watching (81.2%), requesting foods seen in advertisements (89.4%), and skipping tooth brushing (91.8%). A strong dose-response relationship was observed; children in the high-screen-time group exhibited significantly higher mean dmft scores (5.24 ± 1.99) compared to the low-exposure group (1.93 ± 1.70) (P < 0.001). Furthermore, 77.7% of high-screen users demonstrated poor oral hygiene status. Conclusions: Excessive social media exposure serves as a critical behavioral risk factor for dental caries in children. This association is mediated by a triad of “distracted eating,” “digital pester power,” and the displacement of oral hygiene routines. Integrating screen time management into caries risk assessment and prevention protocols is strongly recommended.