Volume 53, Number 7
July 2024

New study reveals that children with developmental, behavioural or emotional issues are exposed to screen time earlier than in recommended guidelines. This early exposure is linked to increased inattention, aggression and behavioural concerns in toddlers.

Illustration by Ladyfingers Co.

Balancing screen time: Insights and impact on preschool children

Over the past decade, the exposure of young children to screen devices at home and preschool has become increasingly common. Screen viewing time (SVT) has risen alongside the surge in ownership of screen devices such as television, smartphones, tablets and laptops worldwide.1 In many countries, screen time and digital...

Screen time and social-emotional skills in preschoolers with developmental, behavioural or emotional issues in Singapore

Preschool children, particularly those with developmental, behavioural or emotional (DBE) issues, are highly vulnerable to the negative effects of excessive screen viewing time (SVT) on their social and emotional development.1,2 Singapore, an island nation with a declining birth rate,3 places significant emphasis on human potential, particularly the social and...

Gaps in primary care management of urinary tract infections in Singapore

Dear Editor, Urinary tract infection (UTI) is a common presentation in primary care, but gaps of care have not been well established in Singapore. UTIs are one of the most common bacterial infections worldwide,1 constituting around 1% of all ambulatory clinic visits.2 The healthcare burden of UTIs remains highly significant,...

The emergence of otter attacks in Singapore: A case series and strategies for management

Dear Editor, Singapore is experiencing an unprecedented increase in the number of smooth-coated otters (Lutrogale perspicillata). Since 2017, the local otter population has more than doubled to at least 170. This has led to an increase in the number of otter-human attacks since 2021.1,2 While common animal attacks like dog...

Using artificial intelligence as an ethics advisor

Dear Editor, Ethical dilemmas are common in the practice of medicine and can lead to an array of seemingly reasonable decisions unless policies or regulations mandate certain actions. Choosing the appropriate solution requires not only biomedical evidence, but also requires the balancing of possibly divergent preferences, values, contextual factors and...

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