Percepciones sobre el uso de redes sociales y videojuegos en escolares de Asunción, Paraguay: una aproximación descriptiva a su relación con el bienestar emocional y la interacción social

The integration of digital technologies into children's daily lives raises concerns regarding their psychosocial effects. This descriptive, cross-sectional, mixed-methods study analyzed the relationship between the use of social media and video games and the emotional well-being and social interaction of students aged 8 to 11 in Asunción, Paraguay, using interviews with children and questionnaires for parents. The results revealed frequent use of mobile devices to access Roblox, FIFA, Minecraft, TikTok, and WhatsApp. Although the children experience joy, they also express frustration, anger, and anxiety in response to restrictions and overwhelmingly prefer face-to-face interaction; some show signs of isolation. Parents reported mood swings, reduced academic performance, and sleep disturbances linked to prolonged usage. In conclusion, a close relationship is observed between the use of digital technologies and children's emotional and social well-being.