How Much Time are Kids Spending in Front of Screens?

The majority of Australian children are spending more time in front of screens than the recommended daily amount reports the Australian Institute of Family Studies. Screen time is the term to describe the amount of time spent looking at a digital screen, including watching television, using the computer, smartphones, tablets and gaming consoles.

The Australian Government Department of Health recommends that children between five and 12 years old, and young people between 13 and 17 years old spend no more than two hours of screen time for recreational purposes, not including screen time spent for homework and schooling purposes.  The Australian Institute of Family Studies also reports that the proportion of children exceeding the recommended two hours daily limit are more likely to have several television sets in the home, a television set in the bedroom, or no rules limiting screen time in their household.

In a poll conducted by The Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne, results found that teenagers have a higher screen time than any other age group at an average of nearly 44 hours a week, while infants and toddlers averaged 14 hours, two to five-year-olds averaged 26 hours, and six to 12-year-olds averaged 32 hours. The study found that 43% of the children regularly used a digital device before bedtime, with one in four children reporting sleep problems, while teenagers that used a digital device before bedtime are more likely to experience cyberbullying. The Australian Bureau of Statistics reports that the majority of Australian teenagers' screen time is mostly spent on social media.

 Australian children are spending more time in front of screens than the recommended daily time.

Children who clock in high numbers of daily screen time are also more prone to health issues, a damaged brain structure, and lower academic results. They are more likely to be overweight, and less likely to be involved in active activities or follow a healthy diet. The content viewed on television and over the internet can also play a role in their developmental abilities and psychological health.

In the report Decreases in Psychological Well-Being Among American Adolescents After 2012 and Links to Screen Time During the Rise of Smartphone Technology, researchers found that teenagers' level of self-esteem and happiness fell after 2012 when smartphone purchases passed the 50% mark in the United States. It also found a correlation between teenagers' mental well-being decreasing into depression and anxiety, the more their screen time increased.

Despite the negative effects associated with high screen times, enforcing a complete ban on children and screen use is not a suitable approach. Many schools and classrooms have built in the use of online activity and screen time around curriculums and homework activities, which can assist in developing essential skills required for the workforce.

 Introduce reading books to minimise screen time.

In today's digital age, young families are moving away from the tradition of raising children with the help of their extended family. Monitoring screen-time is not always a possibility for parents juggling a busy work lifestyle while raising kids. Many parents cite other reasons for providing their children with a digital device, such as teaching them how to use technology and problem-solving skills.

Dr Anthea Rhodes, Director of the Australian Child Health Poll said, "The demands of the modern lifestyle mean a lot of parents are busy, so they use the screen to use as a digital babysitter. We found that 85 per cent of parents of young children say they use screens to occupy their kids so they can get things done." Dr Rhodes recommends turning off digital screens an hour before bedtime and removing any screens from the bedroom.

Some guidelines that parents of young children and teenagers can follow for a healthier amount of screen time include modelling a positive example by not engaging in too much screen time themselves. Parents can also restrict screen time away from daylight hours to encourage children to be active outside or engage in sporting activities. Children under the age of two, however, should not be given any screen time at all unless video chatting with a person on the other end.

Open communication between parent and child is also recommended at all stages of the child's life to discuss the best ways to use screen time and to monitor the content they are accessing and viewing. The rise of digital screens in modern life also poses a risk to visual health, especially with continued exposure starting from a young age. Many digital devices now have a blue light filter to warm the screen, or screens can be dimmed to a lower brightness.


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