Younger siblings are spending more time on screen than elders (symbolic picture)
The Conversation, Melbourne. A new international study has found that children born later in the family, especially younger siblings, spend more time on daily screens and engage less in activities related to intellectual development than their older siblings.
According to researchers from Lund University (Sweden) and Monash University (Australia), this difference may appear to be a few minutes per day, but in the long run it can have an impact on children's educational progress.
The research analyzed 24-hour time-use diary data from about 5,500 Australian children aged two to 15 years. This included sleep, school time, screen time, physical activity and “enrichment activities” such as studying, reading a book, playing board games or learning music.
According to the results, children in second and third place had an average of 9 to 14 minutes more screen time per day, reaching one to one and a half hours on a weekly basis. At the same time, they were found to be engaged in intellectual activities for 11 to 18 minutes less every day.
The study also revealed that this difference is most visible between the ages of 10 to 14, which is considered the sensitive period of early adolescence. Similar results were found in a repeated analysis of data from US children.
Researchers say that it is not only the parents' lack of time that is the reason, but young children's own choices, loose rules and less control over screen use are also important factors. Excessive screen time can increase your risk of exposure to inappropriate online content and falling behind in your studies.
Experts have suggested that parents should spend quality time with young children, set clear rules for screen use and encourage studies and creative activities. Additionally, policies such as limits on Internet media use at early ages can also help increase equality of opportunity among children.
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