Photo caption: From left University of Canterbury Professors Cheryl Brown and Kathryn MacCallum
While recent studies have emphasised the negatives of excessive screen time and how it can lead to issues with eyesight and general wellbeing and often reduce the time children spend on more positive activities – such as play, other research suggests there are many positives.
Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury (UC) researchers Professors Kathryn MacCallum and Cheryl Brown, Co-Directors of Te Puna Rangahau i-Ako | Digital Education Futures Lab, say it is important to step back and recognise that screen time isn't all bad.
“It's about that old adage ‘moderation’. It is also about emphasising the benefits that technology has, which often are wider than just the time spent on the device,” Associate Professor MacCallum says.
“While my sons were in the Minecraft craze, I observed a wider set of interests and skills, many spilling into the real world.
“My boys are now avid readers of the many books written about the fantasy world of Minecraft and have a renewed interest in their blocks and LEGO ®.
“Toys have been hauled out to recreate and create Minecraft worlds offline.”
The offline and online play has also led to new discussions and new vocabulary.
“I have had some interesting conversations about what exactly is a biome and the components of glass, concrete and fire fuses, as well as how to create an automatic drawbridge and crop irrigators.”
Since accepting the significant role this game now plays in her children's lives, Professor MacCallum has noticed other subtle positive influences. Her eldest, who was typically shy about engaging with others in a playground, now, with the simple mention of Minecraft, will spark up friendships with his peers. This shared interest and common language can lead to new games around the swings and slides.
Wider gameplay has also taught her children wider social skills, like collaboration, problem-solving and creative play, and also how to handle losing and build resilience.
Professor Cheryl Brown’s children were immersed in Roblox.
“It involves a myriad of games that I can’t keep up with, but I was pleasantly surprised to discover my child had decided to learn Japanese at school and was inspired to play volleyball as a result of playing anime games,” Professor Brown says.
"Games connect to passions and can extend beyond the screen. We moved countries when my oldest was a teen. Gaming and devices have kept them connected with friends across the world well into their twenties”
When Professor Brown asked her son what he thought about the value of games for learning he immediately sent a link to a TikTok video on seven reasons why gaming is good. “But how do you achieve balance?” she asked. “That's what parents are for,” was his response.
It transpires he valued the boundaries his parents set and even remembered when he had stricter time limits and how it taught him how to manage his time and maximise his gaming enjoyment.
Professor Brown says while devices can lead to many positives, it is important to set boundaries and not let it run the household.
Some advice to consider:
The boundaries you set will depend on your family values and contexts.
Transparency is important, so being purposeful about screen time and setting limits that everyone agrees and adopts (including adults) is an important first step.
Create routine screen-free family time, for example: making family dinners a tech-free zone.
Consider not taking tech to bed. Research has shown that screens can impair sleep (some families have a tech basket in the hallway which everyone puts devices in before bed).
Set aside time to talk to your children about exactly what these tech limits will be. If children know what to expect it may minimise the meltdowns
Be realistic about with the rules - not all days will be equal.
Professor Brown and Professor MacCallum both agree that having daily timed limits is one option, but it also worth considering screen-free days as well.
“Have a day or part of a day when devices are discouraged. Dig out those old family board games or play some frisbee.
“Be aware of what your children are watching or playing. Ask them about their games and get them to show you and talk about it. Encourage play which is less passive or has an element of creativity, collaboration or physical activity,” Professor Brown says.
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