Abstract: Objectives:

• To assess the knowledge of mothers regarding the effect of usage of smartphones on children.
• To assess the practice of mothers regarding the effect of usage of smartphones on children.
• To associate selected Socio-demographic variables with knowledge of mothers regarding the effect of usage of smartphones on children.

Methodology: Quantitative Nonexperimental research approach was used in the paediatric OPD setting at tertiary hospital at Lucknow and Non probability purposive sampling was used to collect data from 100 mothers of children aged 3-12 years.

Result: Out of 100 samples 6% of mothers have poor knowledge, 66% have average knowledge and 28% have good knowledge.Out of 100 mothers only 8% allowed for the independent ownership of smartphone by children. 62% of mothers had laid down rules for usage of smartphone by children and 48% mothers permit usage and under supervision, 88% of mothers had installed phone lock. 12% mothers allow phone usage while charging, 24% allows usage of phone in dim light, 26% allow usage of phone for 15 minutes before sleeping and 4% of the mothers allowed children to carry mobiles to school.

Conclusion: Smartphones have become part of daily life among all age groups and household. In spite of the rampant use of smartphones there is a lack of knowledge among mothers regarding the effects of smartphones on their children leading to harmful practices. So there is an urgent need to assess the knowledge and practice among the mothers so that appropriate steps can be taken to mitigate the harmful effects of smartphone usage by their children.

Although majority of mothers are graduated, residing in urban area and are working in private firm they have only average knowledge regarding the effect of smartphone usage by their children.

Keywords: knowledge and practice, mothers of children (3 to 12 years), usage of smartphone by children.