The present study investigated the associations of media use of children, media use of
mothers, and parent-child interactions with behavioral strengths and difficulties in children. Screen
time of 553 2- to 9-year-old children and their mothers were indicated by the daily durations of
their TV/games console/computer/mobile phone use. The amount of parent–child interaction was
indicated by the frequencies of shared activities at home. Behavioral strengths and difficulties of
children were investigated using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire. Children whose
mothers reported high screen times (>/= 5 h/day) were significantly more likely to show high screen
times (>/= 2 h/day). High screen time of children was associated with more conduct problems, more
symptoms of hyperactivity/inattention and less prosocial behavior. High screen time of mothers was
associated with emotional problems, conduct problems, and symptoms of hyperactivity/inattention.
In contrast, a higher frequency of parent–child interactions was associated with fewer conduct
problems, fewer peer-relationship problems, and more prosocial behavior of children. Children might
use the media behavior of their mothers as a role model for their own media use. Furthermore, the
findings suggest that media use of children and mothers and parent–child interaction contribute
independently to behavioral strengths and difficulties of children