Table 5 Patterns of smartphone use and related adverse effects and parental behavior, before and during the COVID-19 pandemic

 Telephone calls

1–5

3.33 ± 1.09

3.80 ± 1.16

< 0.001^a

 Social network (Instagram, Facebook, etc.)

1–5

3.81 ± 1.27

4.07 ± 1.20

< 0.001^a

 Game

1–5

2.57 ± 1.20

2.85 ± 1.43

0.001^a

 Education

1–5

2.87 ± 1.26

4.13 ± 1.05

< 0.001^a

 Online chat (Whatsapp, etc.)

1–5

3.32 ± 1.53

3.61 ± 1.63

< 0.001^a

 Photos

1–5

3.29 ± 1.21

3.15 ± 1.24

0.1

 Videos

1–5

3.43 ± 1.20

3.70 ± 1.31

0.002^a

 Music

1–5

3.79 ± 1.22

3.94 ± 1.25

0.043^a

 Boredom

1–5

3.32 ± 1.10

3.99 ± 1.29

< 0.001^a

 Habit

1–5

3.32 ± 1.12

3.65 ± 1.24

< 0.001^a

 Pleasure

1–5

3.47 ± 1.10

3.59 ± 1.20

0.17

 Game

1–5

2.55 ± 1.28

2.82 ± 1.48

0.001^a

 Communication

1–5

4.21 ± 0.93

4.53 ± 0.80

< 0.001^a

 Learning

1–5

2.99 ± 1.09

4.16 ± 1.03

< 0.001^a

 Stress relief

1–5

2.95 ± 1.33

3.34 ± 1.39

< 0.001^a

 Adaptation to others

1–5

2.37 ± 1.23

2.52 ± 1.40

0.082

 Superficial approach to learning

1–5

2.01 ± 1.04

2.63 ± 1.34

< 0.001^a

 Distraction

1–5

2.80 ± 1.06

3.32 ± 1.33

< 0.001^a

 Mood modification

1–5

2.23 ± 1.13

2.85 ± 1.44

< 0.001^a

 Loss of interest

1–5

2.21 ± 1.10

2.80 ± 1.39

< 0.001^a

 Isolation

1–5

1.94 ± 1.09

2.57 ± 1.48

< 0.001^a

 Sleep disturbances

1–5

2.29 ± 1.29

2.88 ± 1.35

< 0.001^a

 Ocular alterations

1–5

1.94 ± 1.07

2.78 ± 1.51

< 0.001^a

 Musculoskeletal disorders

1–5

1.83 ± 1.07

2.74 ± 1.54

< 0.001^a

 Surveillance

1–5

2.61 ± 1.29

2.52 ± 1.36

0.178

 Restriction

1–5

2.31 ± 1.26

2.32 ± 1.33

0.898

 Punishment

1–5

2.08 ± 1.18

1.98 ± 1.29

0.0972

 Permission

1–5

3.17 ± 1.14

3.43 ± 1.23

< 0.001^a

 Explanation

1–5

3.59 ± 1.22

3.70 ± 1.26

0.1