Volume/Number

2023-01

Date published

2 March, 2023

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to stimulate health policy, practice and research thinking around how guidelines could best support children’s wise use of screens. To do so it outlines the historical development of Australian screen use guidelines including reasons for them being embedded in physical activity and 24 hour movement guidelines. The evolution of guidelines in other countries is also outlined, highlighting recent changes in thinking. Nine reasons are presented for why screen use guidelines should be separated from physical activity/movement guidelines:

1. Enable adequate considerations of aspects of screen use other than time 
2. Enable better guidance on how screen use can have a positive impact on child health and development 
3. Recognise the varying needs and vulnerabilities of different children 
4. Recognise rights of children growing up in a digital society 
5. Enable transdisciplinary guidelines 
6. Enable a neutral approach to screen use 
7. Enable the clear separation of sitting time from screen use 
8. Encourage better measures of screen use 
9. Enable moderate/vigorous physical activity and sleep guidelines to be better received by the community. 

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Series type

'Discussion' series looking at conceptual challenges and aimed at the scholarly community

DOI

https://doi.org/10.26187/88f7-mf41

Suggested citation

Straker, L., Edwards, S., Kervin, L., Burley, J., Hendry, D., and Cliff, D. 2023 Digital Child Working Paper 2023-01, Moving screen use guidelines: Nine reasons why screen use guidelines should be separated from public health 24-hour movement guidelines in Australia and internationally. ARC Centre of Excellence for the Digital Child, Brisbane, Australia.

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