“Everything kind of revolves around technology”: a qualitative exploration of families’ screen use experiences, and intervention suggestions

Abstract

Background Managing children’s screen time is challenging for most families. Interventions have had limited success in reducing screen time, potentially due to a lack of understanding of the experiences, needs and recommendations of families. This study aimed to 1) understand the screen time experiences of families, particularly during COVID-19 lockdowns; and 2) explore parent and child suggestions for the design, components, and content of a screen time management program. Methods Parents and children from 30 families living in Victoria, Australia completed a semi-structured interview (63 interviews) via Zoom in October–November 2021. Parents were maged 40.8 (± 8.9) years and predominantly female (90%). Children were maged 11.4 (± 2.4) years and 47% female. The interviews were audio recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed using inductive thematic analysis combined with a summative content analysis approach. Results Three themes under Aim 1 emerged. Theme 1) ‘Screen time management experiences and practices’, including rules and strategies, challenges, and the impact of COVID-19 lockdowns. Theme 2) ‘Impact of screens on family interaction and communication’ including conflicts within the family, reduced face-to-face interactions, and negative impact on child’s behaviour and wellbeing. Theme 3) ‘Benefits of increased screen time due to COVID-19 lockdowns’ including continuation of social interactions, extracurricular activities, improved technology skills and using screens as a ‘babysitter’. Findings from Aim 2 suggest that families want a screen time management program delivered online to parents and children, which includes static and interactive content that incorporates health information, alternative activities, cyber-safety information, tips for goal setting and rewards, screen monitoring tools, links to reputable information, and parent social connections. Reminders via text message or through the online platform would help maintain engagement in the program. Conclusions Families are experiencing challenges in managing the complex balance between the increased need for screens and the impact it has on the family. These findings provide valuable parent and child insights to assist in developing screen time management programs that are created with an understanding of the needs and challenges of families.

“I’m going to change the WIFI password if you don't go outside!”: a qualitative examination of changes in parenting practices over the course of the COVID-19 pandemic

“…One concerning pattern found in the temporal trajectories constructed in the present study was the widespread development of screen time permissiveness. Permissiveness towards screen time early in the pandemic was consistent with existing qualitative literature ( 27 ). The present study advances our understanding of pandemic impacts by illustrating the enduring nature of these changes.…”

From “online brains” to “online lives”: understanding the individualized impacts of Internet use across psychological, cognitive and social dimensions

“…On the one hand, it appears that some public concerns over general technology use and adverse outcomes in young people may be overblown, given the lack of robust evidence for overall effects 25 . That said, the Internet does inarguably provide a platform for young people to become exposed to "online harms", with many valid concerns expressed over obvious threats such as cyberbullying, exposure to pornographic material, and gambling [26][27][28][29] . Moreover, the gravity of the issue of exposure to suicide-related content has been highlighted by a study 30 reporting that almost a quarter of young people who died by suicide in a UK sample had suicide-related Internet experiences (e.g., searching for methods of suicide).…”

“…While many "normal" behaviors not involving the Internet have the potential to become addictive, an emerging body of qualitative research has begun to shed light on how the online world specifically seems to exert a strong compulsion towards constant usage in some young people 26,27,29,[35][36][37][38][39][40][41] . Adolescents express concerns about a "constant stream of entertainment" 41 , affecting critical activities such as homework and sleep 38,41 .…”

“…Some parents also directly witness the addictive potential and resultant distraction and unresponsiveness of their children 27,35 . For example, in an Australian qualitative study 27 , parents reported that certain online games are so addictive for children that they can impact self-regulation and standard self-care behaviors to a dramatic extent, in even the youngest of digital media users: "We had to ban Roblox for ages because he wouldn't go to the toilet. He would wet himself playing games because he didn't want to die in the game".…”