by Thomas N. Robinson1& Dina L. G. Borzekowski.
Evidence for adverse effects of screen media exposure has led to recommendations to limit children’s screen time. This paper describes a randomized controlled trial of SMART (Student Media Awareness to Reduce Television), an 18-lesson, theory-based classroom curriculum to reduce screen time among third and fourth grade children in two matched public elementary schools (n = 181). Intervention school children significantly reduced their weekday television viewing and weekday and Saturday video game playing compared to controls. Greater effects were found among boys and more adult-supervised children. Mothers, fathers, and siblings and other children in intervention school households also reduced their television viewing. The findings demonstrate the efficacy of a classroom intervention to reduce screen time among elementary school children and their family/household members.
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