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My colleagues and I identified these groups based on analyzes of data from 10,460 American schoolchildren followed for six years. Understanding which children are frequent users of online technologies is important as such use can displace developmentally appropriate activities, including physical activity, sleep, and independent book reading.
We found that kindergarten children who were aggressive or often staged were more likely to use these online technologies multiple times a day by the end of elementary school, as were children from low-income families. Black children were also more likely to be frequent users of online technologies later on.
Boys were more likely to be heavy users of online games, while girls were more likely to be heavy users of social media and messaging.
Children of parents who emphasized early literacy activities and placed limits on television were subsequently less likely to be frequent users of online technologies.
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Why is this important
Children’s increasingly frequent use of online technologies – such as Instagram, Twitter, Facebook and other social networking applications; play via Xbox, PlayStation or smartphones; and messaging via WhatsApp, Snapchat or SMS – worries parents, educators and caregivers, for good reason.
Frequent use of online technologies can replace developmentally beneficial activities – think physical activity, sleep, parent-child interactions, and independent book reading. Children who use online technologies several times a day are more likely to be sedentary, sleep deprived and overweight; struggle academically or behaviorally at school; and self-report poorer quality of life and mental health. Children’s use of online technologies has also dramatically increased during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Our study provides new insight into American preschoolers who are more likely to be frequent users of online technologies later on. This new information can help inform public health campaigns for families most at risk. Routines that promote optimal levels of online technology use, physical activity, sleep, book reading, and other activities should help children develop physically, cognitively, academically, and behaviorally.
READ MORE: Parents, lower your screen time limits while you’re stuck at home
What is still not known
Our study has limits. Our results may be cautious, as children themselves report how often they use online technologies. Data collection ended before the start of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Our results are not causal. We are not sure why specific groups of children are subsequently more likely to be frequent users of online technologies. However, we have some assumptions. Parents in low-income families may allow more screen time as they face greater demands on time and resources. Parents of children who take action can turn to electronic devices to quell their children’s outbursts. Early experiences of racial discrimination can lead black children to frequently use online technologies to connect with similar peers and express their racial or ethnic identity.
And it’s important to recognize that there is only limited evidence that children’s use of online technologies causes harm. This damage may be limited to frequent users of specific technologies from specific populations. Further study and analysis is needed to examine these relationships. In the future, online technologies could be designed to promote healthy behaviors, including by vulnerable populations.
READ MORE: 3 smart ways to use screen time while coronavirus keeps kids at home
And after
Identifying at this early stage which young children are more likely to become frequent users of online technology later on could help families avoid problematic use.
For example, other research suggests that girls may be particularly susceptible to being harmed by frequent social media due to increased exposure to cyberbullying and feelings of dissatisfaction with body weight as well as a decreased sleep and exercise. Our study reveals that girls are already more likely to use these technologies a lot by the end of primary school. Limiting social media and messaging during this time of early development can be especially important.
Establishing screen time routines that help children meet recommended guidelines for physical play, sleep, reading books, and other beneficial developmental activities can help prevent overuse of online technology. Limiting children’s access during homework, shared meals, and the hour before bed can also help. Families can set rules limiting access to electronic devices. Parents could encourage early literacy activities that help children become independent readers.
Educators and healthcare providers can inform parents of the repeatedly observed negative associations between frequent use of online technologies and children’s development, as well as support and help families set up time-consuming routines. screen.
READ MORE: During the Covid pandemic, screen games are still ‘real’ game
Paul L. Morgan is an Eberly Fellow, Professor of Education and Demography, and Director of the Center for Educational Disparities Research at Penn State.
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