Analyzing the Prevalence of Smartphone Addiction (SA) Among Preschoolers (3–6 Years) and Its Demographic and Familial Risk Factors: A Cross‐Sectional Study in Noakhali District, Bangladesh

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Smartphone Addiction (SA) is emerging as a growing public health concern, especially affecting the youth on a global scale. The present study was administered to investigate the prevalence of SA among preschoolers and its demographic and familial influential factors. METHODS: Primary data were collected from 441 preschoolers (3-6 years) using an interviewer-administered, face-to-face interview that collected sociodemographic and familial information from May 10, 2023, to June 25, 2023. Initially, the χ2 test was employed to find the association between SA and selected demographic and familial variables. Secondly, the multivariable logistic regression model was applied to determine the impact of the associated variables on SA. RESULTS: Findings revealed that 69% of the preschoolers were SA with 52.5% male and 47.5% female. The results of logistic regression illustrated that SA was influenced by preschoolers' fathers' profession (AOR: 0.270; 95% CI: 0.123, 0.592), owning smartphone (AOR: 0.079; 95% CI: 0.027, 0.230), parents' positive perception and behavior of using smartphone (AOR: 0.220; 95% CI: 0.052, 0.925), and more time spent at smartphone daily (AOR: 5.416; 95% CI: 2.80, 10.476). Preschoolers with fathers in formal employment, such as a service job, have lower SA than those with fathers in business. Furthermore, preschoolers whose parents have negative attitudes of smartphone use, particularly extremely negative perceptions, have lower SA than those whose parents have a more positive outlook. CONCLUSIONS: Based on the findings of the study, the authors recommend that fathers, particularly those in business, take extra precautions to avoid their children from getting SA. Furthermore, parents should be cautioned against giving their children personal smartphones, recognizing the harmful effects on both mental and physical health. Parents should not let their children use their cellphones for an extended period. To mitigate the negative consequences of smartphone use, parents must provide adequate attention and time to their children. Encouraging children to explore different forms of entertainment other than mobile phones is critical in preventing the development of SA.