News & Articles about Screen time
What is the number 1 child health concern for parents? You guessed it, screen time
The latest Royal Children’s Hospital National Child Health Poll found that excessive screen time remains the top health concern for parents.
Should we be worried about kids and screens, or is history repeating…and repeating and repeating?
In Greek mythology Sysiphus was doomed to eternally try to roll a boulder to the top of a hill only to have it roll back down to the bottom just as he approached the peak. The debate about whether screens are good or bad for kids and adolescents might sound familiar, some researchers argue that it’s the same old argument we heard about video games, televisions, radios and even books. Are smartphones and tables part of a sysiphean cycle of technology panic?
Should you feel guilty about your child’s screen time? Not during 2020!
During 2020 many parents experienced a uncomfortable tension between keeping kids entertained and home schooled with technology and trying to keep tech use at a healthy level at the same time. During 2020 at least, extra screen time for kids is a realistic response to situation we find ourselves in.
Parental concern about impact of extra screen time during Covid-19 pandemic
With lockdowns and school closures across Australia, parents express concerns about increased screen time having a negative impact on kids.
Kids are reading, just not a lot of books….
In the late 1970’s around 60% of teens reported that they read books daily for pleasure (i.e. excluding books assigned as school work). In 2016, the number of teens who reported the same was down to 16%.
So if they aren’t reading books and magazines, what are they doing?
Excessive screen use: the good, the bad, and the ugly.
More comfortable online than out partying, post-Millennials are safer, physically, than adolescents have ever been. But they’re on the brink of a mental-health crisis?
Jene Twenge writes for The Atlantic.
24th July, 2018
(repost, original publication 3rd August, 2017)
The Atlantic, USA
(Full article)
Social media blamed for reduced productivity at work
An article in the Melbourne Herald Sun claims that Australians are spending excessive time on social media while at work, resulting in productivity losses for companies and employers. It's worth noting that the article refers to 'research', but no source is supplied.
22 July, 2018
The Herald Sun, Australia
(access only for HS members)
Smartphones in schools
yes or no?
In this article published by The Conversation, a number of arguments for and against banning smartphones in schools are presented. Countries such as France and Ireland either have, or are planning to, put legislation in place to ban smartphone use in the classroom.
28th June, 2018
The Conversation
(Full article)
Why kids seem to become addicted to games like Fortnite
Pediatrician Dr Jeffery Ryan talks about the reasons why your kids might find it so hard to stop playing games like Fortnite.
12th September, 2018
University of North Carolina Health, USA
(Full article)
More or less addictive phones
Apple have released the newest version of the iPhone with, you guessed it, features aimed at reducing smartphone addiction. Are tech companies genuinely concerned about their customers wellbeing?
4th Jun, 2018
NBC News, USA
(Full article)
How does heavy use of a smartphone impact mental well-being?
In an interesting look at the positive and negative influences of heavy smartphone use in 14-24 year olds. Self-expression is a positive, but lack of sleep, bullying, and mental illness are clear negative outcomes.
19th May, 2018
The Economist, USA
(Full article)
How to curb a smartphone addiction
An article in Choice Magazine cites BlackScreens research and offers suggestions on how to curb your smartphone use.
10th May, 2018
CHOICE, Australia
(Full article)
Less addictive phones
A report from The Guardian looks at Google adding new features into their latest Android release to help reduce screen time.
10th May, 2018
The Guardian, Australia
(Full article)
Proactive device management plan at McKinnon Secondary College
Kids get noisy after their school bans smartphones. Read about the unexpected side-effect of a phone-free school yard.
20th Feb, 2018
The Age, Australia
(Full article)