
Beyond “screen time”: Does the context of children’s digital technology use influence their health and developmental outcomes?
Lead investigator
Associate Professor Dylan Cliff
Chief Investigator
University of Wollongong
Investigators
Associate Professor Steven Howard
Chief Investigator
University of Wollongong
Professor Lisa Kervin
Chief Investigator and Educated Child Co-Leader
University of Wollongong
Professor Leon Straker
Chief Investigator and Healthy Child Co-Leader
Curtin University
Dr Juliana Zabatiero
Chief Investigator and ACODA Longitudinal Study Co-Leader
Curtin University
Dr Sharon Horwood
Associate Investigator
Deakin University
Associate Professor Jessica Mantei
Associate Investigator
University of Wollongong
Dr Jade Burley
Research Fellow
University of Wollongong
Dr Danica Hendry
Research Fellow
Curtin University
Dr George Thomas
Research Fellow (Alumnus)
Curtin University
Overview
Exploring the context of children’s engagement with digital technology (e.g., content, co-participation, and daily timing) in addition to the time spent engaging with digital technology is critical to understand potential impacts on health and development, and to identify the contexts that might contribute to “quality” digital technology experiences for children. Additionally, research into the benefits or harms for children of engaging with digital technology may need to consider the interaction with other behaviours, such as sleep and physical activity. This project uses novel measures and analytics, and longitudinal tracking of families to provide meaningful guidance to families, professionals and policy makers to support children growing up in a digital world.
Project aims
- provide preliminary evidence for future research investigating key contextual components of children’s digital technology use
- inform guidance for families and professionals focused on promoting “quality” digital technology experiences for children
Project design
Phase 1
- conduct a systematic or scoping review to synthesise currently available evidence to understand the different contextual components of children’s digital technology use that may influence their health and development
- develop methods for coding and assessing different contextual components of children’s digital technology use reported by parents that may influence children’s health and development
Phase 2
- conduct secondary data analysis to investigate associations between different contextual components of children’s digital technology use and their health and development
- conduct secondary data analysis to investigate associations between children’s time use composition, including their time engaging with digital technology and their health and development
Timeframe
April 2022 - December 2023Contact
Associate Professor Dylan Cliff
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