Authors: Yuying Shen
The aim of the present study is to examine the health impact of digital media engagement among children age 6 -17 in the U.S., and its interaction effect with children’s family structure. Using data from 2011-2012 National Survey of Children’s Health (NSCH), we estimated the impacts of different digital media activities on children’s general health, behavior, anxiety, and depression. Ordinal regression models were processed for two groups stratified by family structure. Statistical analyses from this study indicated that health and well-being of children as well as the health impacts of different digital media activities vary by children’s family structure. Digital media engagements are more likely to negatively impact the health and well-being of children and adolescents in other alternative families than their peers in two-parent families.
View/Download pdf