Media use before, during and after COVID-19 lockdown according to parents in a clinically referred sample in child and adolescent psychiatry: Results of an online survey in Switzerland

To investigate the consequences of COVID-19 lockdown on screen media use in children and adolescents with mental health problems, an online survey was conducted leisure before, during after spring 2020. Parents patients (10-18 yrs) referred to child adolescent psychiatry participated anonymous survey, approximately six weeks first easing measures. rated amount, content psychological impact their children's lockdown. N = 477 parents completed survey. Patients showed a significant increase time (including devices such as mobile, tablet/PC, video game console, TV, activities gaming, social media) moderate negative everyday life. After lockdown, total returned pre-COVID-19 levels most patients, but remained slightly higher males. A worsening main psychopathological problem related elevated (10-13 yrs), not (14-18 yrs). According parents' retrospective ratings, reversible, seems reflect expected coping strategy However, male did completely return gaming time, small number continued display excessive gaming. • Children problems important more adolescents. Unhappy used digital intensely than happy ones. In girls, pre-Covid-19 boys it higher.