Research reveals Aussie kids prefer face-to-face time with family rather than time on a screen
Children have delivered a surprise verdict on screen time versus family time, as social media restrictions loom for under-16s across Australia.
Shock data has found more Aussie children prefer to spend time face-to-face in person with family rather than being glued to a screen online.
It comes just months out from the social media ban set to take effect at the end of the year for children under 16 pushed by News Corp’s famous ‘Let Them Be Kids’ campaign.
The figures commissioned by Act for Kids in the wake of National Child Protection week showed 41 per cent of kids aged 10 to 16 surveyed said they would rather connect with family in real life, compared to only 15 per cent who preferred to spend time online.
The research revealed three out of four children (76%) felt most connected to their family when they were talking in-person about their day, despite almost half (46%) spending more than one hour a day talking online.
And almost three in four children (74.3%) felt positive about a close adult being in the room while they were online with 17 per cent reportedly feeling safer.
Act for Kids chief executive Dr Katrina Lines said despite this, only 10 per cent of children reported always having an adult in the same room when they’re online.
“This gives us enormous insight into how parents and carers can help keep their kids safe online by simply being in the same room as them when they are on devices,” Dr Lines said.
Teanna Kariyawasam. 10 from Brisbane, is a part of the majority of kids who preferred to spend time with her family in person despite using technology from the age of four.
“The digital world looks exciting, especially when I see all the kids using it … but it also kind of feels a bit too busy and confusing for me. I think it’s good I’m not on social media,” she said.
“I feel really connected to my family when we do things like cooking (and) gardening.”
Mum Subodha Dharmasiri said Teanna had to use her devices in an open space at home.
“That is so she can talk to us if she’s having any issues but also on all of her devices, like in her iPad and MacBook, we have parent controls,” she said.
“We have talked to her openly about digital safety and risk … I mean, it (technology) is not a completely negative thing, but we also talk about the good and bad sides of it.
“The research prompted the launch of a new national campaign Let’s Connect IRL (In Real Life) co-designed by children to encourage adults to consider how they can increase positive connections with kids in their life.
“Our research found playing games is the most popular activity kids like to do online (41%) and yet only a third (29%) of families play games online together, which shows there’s an opportunity here for adults to connect with kids,” Dr Lines said.
“International research also shows young people who feel less connected to their family often turn to social media for support. Unfortunately, we know that social media can sometimes lead to negative experiences with children feeling isolated, lonely, anxious and at-risk of cyber bullying.”
For 12-year-old Brisbane schoolgirl Saanvi Makkar, who helped design the campaign, life has never been better since putting down her phone.
Instead of scrolling through TikTok or Snapchat, she spends her time outdoors, playing sport or enjoying simple activities with her parents.
Saanvi said walking away from screens gave her a sense of freedom.
“When I don’t use devices for a couple of hours, I feel more productive and proactive,” she said.
“It helps me to focus better and relax. I connect with my family and friends in person rather than being social online.
“I love the time I have off screens because it opens a whole new world, letting us interact with others face to face,” she said.
“Just the simple things and games without being online can be super fun,” she said.
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Originally published as Research reveals Aussie kids prefer face-to-face time with family rather than time on a screen
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