Research conducted by the eSafety Commissioner in 2018 found that screen time is one of the top online safety concerns for parents. Too much screen time can include both internet addiction and balancing internet use with other areas of life. The COVID-19 pandemic has further fuelled this issue, with significant increases in screen time being reported more recently.
The following infographic summarises the findings from the eSafety Commissioner report and highlights the key issues:
If excessive screen time is a concern, the following strategies can be used:
- Monitor your child’s device, internet and game use
- Encourage a balance between screen time and healthy activities outside the online world
- Create a plan that balances screen time as a family
- Reduce your own screen time to set a positive example
- Use technologies such as parental controls to help monitor and limit screen time use
The eSafety website has some helpful information and more detailed strategies to help combat excessive screen time. These resources can be found at https://www.esafety.gov.au/parents/issues-and-advice/screen-time
Mrs Megan Bennett
Director of ICT