The relationship between primary-school childrens’ moderate to vigorous physical activity, cell phone screen time, and cell phone dependence

We explored the relationship between moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA), cell phone screen time (CPST) and cell phone dependence with 715 children at primary schools in China. The students completed the Children’s Leisure Activities Study Survey-Chinese edition, the Mobile Phone Usage Frequency Scale, and the Self-Assessment Questionnaire on Adolescent Mobile Phone Use Dependence. The results showed that there was a significant negative correlation between the children’s mean daily MVPA time and cell phone dependence, cravings, and physical and mental effects; those children who did not meet the World Health Organization’s recommended MVPA levels had stronger cravings for cell phones. In addition, there was a low to moderate positive correlation between CPST and cell phone dependence. It is recommended that primary school students participate in more MVPA and reduce their CPST to reduce the cravings for cell phones and the negative physical and mental effects of cell phone use.