A study has found that 51.6 per cent of children in Peninsular Malaysia start using digital devices independently before the age of four. Meanwhile, 31.7 per cent of children begin using smartphones or tablets under adult supervision before turning two.
The findings come from research conducted in 2021 by Dr Rozita Wahab, a lecturer at the Department of Educational Psychology and Counseling, Faculty of Education, Universiti Malaya. The study focused on preschool children aged five and six and also revealed that 24.2 per cent of them own their own smartphone or tablet, indicating early exposure to digital technology.
Dr Rozita noted that children are now interacting with digital devices as early as eight months old. On average, children start using devices with adults at around 3 years and 4 months and begin using them independently at approximately 4 years and 4 months.
Rising usage after Covid-19
The study showed that 74.1 per cent of preschoolers use smartphones, while 39.1 per cent use tablets. Smartphones were found to be the most frequently used device, with 68.5 per cent of children using them daily, surpassing television usage at 47.5 per cent.
Dr Rozita attributed the rising trend to changes in family lifestyles, with both parents and children spending less time at home and increased reliance on devices during the Covid-19 pandemic for home-based learning and entertainment.
On average, preschoolers in Peninsular Malaysia spend 3.7 hours daily on smartphones or tablets during school days, with usage rising to 6.2 hours during school holidays. In extreme cases, some children spend up to nine hours on devices on school days and 14 hours during holidays.
“These figures far exceed the American Academy of Pediatrics’ recommendation of no more than two hours of screen time per day for children aged five to six,” Dr Rozita said.
Comparing to a study conducted 11 years ago, device ownership and usage among this age group has jumped from 0–6 per cent to nearly a quarter today. For children aged 18–24 months, the AAP recommends minimal screen time and always with parental co-viewing.
Impact on physical activity
Dr Rozita warned that prolonged device use affects physical development. “Children who frequently use smartphones or tablets tend to engage less in active outdoor activities such as playing, running, cycling, or sports, spending more time on passive activities at home,” she said.
The study highlights the need for parents and caregivers to monitor and manage young children’s screen time to ensure balanced physical and cognitive development.
