Understanding screen use in young children

It’s a concern for many parents – the effect of excessive screen time on their children.

The exponential growth in personal technology has facilitated a more sedentary lifestyle across age groups –accelerating a trend that had started decades earlier with television and computer use.

University of Southern Queensland’s Professor Stuart Biddle was among the first to study this from a sport and exercise perspective more than 20 years ago.

With mobile devices now ubiquitous, professionals have begun highlighting psychological issues in young people associated with extended screen time. These troubled highly experienced Ipswich paediatrician Dr Bob McGregor enough that, upon his retirement, he approached UniSQ about conducting research into the issue.

The ensuing discussion between Dr McGregor and Professor Biddle led to a new research project being undertaken, enabled by a grant from the Ipswich Hospital

Foundation, with funds raised from various sources, including donations and support through Dr McGregor’s rotary club. For the Foundation, the public health focus of the project offered an opportunity to expand beyond clinical work into preventative research.

Professor Biddle leads the project, supported by UniSQ colleagues from psychology and the health and medical sciences. The team’s goal is to contribute to the body of research that informs existing screentime guidelines and best practice.

Interviews with around 20 parents of young children (ideally to age five) from the Ipswich area will be used to track children’s use of screens from birth.

“This started by linking with the local community, and it’s the best way for research to occur,” Professor Biddle says.

“There’s been a trend in the last few years for researchers to make sure they are well connected with the people that matter in research – the local community’s people who are at the coalface. We talk with them and make sure that we address the right questions. It keeps us grounded. It’s a true partnership, and it’s rewarding for everybody.”

The project’s collaborative approach leverages the strengths of clinical staff and researchers to ultimately assist local families.

“Academics don’t know everything and professionals in the field or community are experts in their local context,” Professor Biddle says.

“There may be behaviours they’re interested in studying, but they may not have the means to do it, whereas the academic experts do. Through pulling everybody together, it should come up with much better solutions, results and understanding.”