Summarised by Centrist
In a recent qualitative study using interviews and focus groups, 33 parents in New Zealand opened up about their challenges in managing their teenagers’ (aged 13 – 16) screen time. With adolescents on screens for up to 11 hours a day, the study unveiled four major worries parents have.
Firstly, parents were troubled by their children’s addictive behaviour towards mobile phones and gaming devices, often resulting in deceptive tactics to continue screen time such as sneaking off and seeking wi-fi in the middle of the night.
Secondly, parents worried about their adolescents accessing inappropriate content, such as pornography for boys and grooming for early sexualisation for girls.
Thirdly, excessive screen time was seen as diminishing adolescents’ interest in real-world activities, impacting their social skills and relationships.
Lastly, the study revealed adverse effects on physical and mental health, including eye strain, back problems, anxiety, depression, and reduced academic performance.
