Original Scientific Articles

The association between screen time and communication in preschool children

Authors

• • Ana Madžar Čančar
  • University of East Sarajevo, Faculty of Medicine Foca, Foča, Republic of Srpska, Bosnia and Herzegovine
• • Sladjana Ćalasan Sladjana Ćalasan ORCID profile. (opens in new tab)
  • University of East Sarajevo, Faculty of Medicine Foca, Foča, Republic of Srpska, Bosnia and Herzegovine
• • Bojana Vuković
  • University of East Sarajevo, Faculty of Medicine Foca, Foča, Republic of Srpska, Bosnia and Herzegovine
• • Sanja Živanović
  • University of East Sarajevo, Faculty of Medicine Foca, Foča, Republic of Srpska, Bosnia and Herzegovine
• • Ajla Mahmutović Babić
  • University of Tuzla, Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Abstract

Introduction. The term screen time refers to the total amount of time spent in front of various screens on a daily basis. Given the negative consequences that excessive screen exposure can have on various developmental domains of early childhood, the World Health Organization (WHO) has issued specific recommendations regarding the amount of screen time permitted for young children. The primary aim of this study was to examine the association between daily screen exposure duration and communication outcomes in preschool-aged children.
Method. The sample consisted of 200 preschool children aged 48 to 60 months, of both sexes. The Ages & Stages Questionnaires (ASQ3) was used to assess child development, along with a specially de
signed sociodemographic questionnaire. Kruskal–Wallis and Mann Whitney U tests were used. The study was conducted in preschool institutions in the eastern region of Republic of Srpska between April and June 2024.
Results. The Mann–Whitney U test showed a statistically significant difference (p = 0.007; p = 0.014). The results indicate that 39% of preschool children are exposed to screen time beyond WHO-recommended limits. A statistically significant difference was observed in communication scale achievements in favor of children who were exposed to screens for less than one hour per day or not exposed at all, compared to children whose screen use exceeded the recommended duration.
Conclusion. Attention should be directed toward further identification of factors contributing to excessive screen use and toward developing clear guidelines for parents regarding permitted screen time, desirable content, appropriate technology, and shared screen-related activities for preschool children.

Keywords: screen time, communication, preschool children

How to Cite: Madžar Čančar, A. , Ćalasan, S. , Vuković, B. , Živanović, S. & Mahmutović Babić, A. (2026) “The association between screen time and communication in preschool children”, Biomedicinska istraživanja. 17(2). doi: https://doi.org/10.59137/BII00703M