Labor promises $2.5m research fund to tackle screen addiction

Labor’s war on childrens’ devices is set to continue, with Chris Minns pledging millions of dollars to crack down on screen addiction. But is it even an issue or just bad parenting? TAKE OUR POLL

Labor Leader Chris Minns has pledged to crack down on screen addiction in kids if he wins the March election, announcing a new research fund to investigate the impact phones and video games are having on young people.

The Daily Telegraph can reveal that a Minns government would establish a $2.5 million fund to pay for research into screen-related addictions in young people.

Mr Minns will hold a roundtable on Friday where parent groups will join experts in education, child-psychology and cyber safety to talk about how to get children off their phones, particularly at school.

It comes after he pledged to ban phones in high schools if he wins government to boost school results.

New behavioural addictions related to screens are estimated to impact between one and three per cent of people in Australia, particularly young males, with an additional 10-20 per cent of young people reporting some level of risk.

Covid lockdowns have also increased the amount of time people spend on their phones and gaming.

According to one study, some young people reported spending 71 per cent more time gaming since the Covid-19 pandemic.

A $2.5 million fund will pay for research into screen-related addictions in young people. Picture: Istock

The research fund is designed to generate consistent data about the impact screens, video games, and mobile phones are having on young people’s learning.

“For Anna and I one of the biggest challenges in raising our children is getting them off devices – and I know we’re not alone,” Mr Minns said.

Chris Minns is appealing to parents through his plan to address screen addiction. Picture: Simon Bullard

“Screen addiction is a relatively new phenomena parents are dealing with, and I’m worried we don’t have enough research to know what the full impact is on young people and their developing minds.”

“It’s important that both parents and teachers have all the facts on the impacts of screens and devices on childhood development,” he said.

Child psychologist Jocelyn Brewer backed the initiative, saying that she has spoken to parents who feel they do not have the support needed to tackle video game or phone addictions.

“It is great to see political parties and governments tackling these modern issues and seeking solutions to support families,” she said.