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A Comparative Time-Diary Analysis of UK and US Children's Screen Time and Device Use
Killian Mullan1, Sandra L Hofferth2
1Department of Sociology and Policy, School of Social Sciences and Humanities, Aston University, Aston Triangle, Birmingham, B4 7ET UK.
Child Indicators Research
|December 7, 2021
Summary
UK children use devices more than US children, but family size and internet access explain differences. US children spend more time on TV and video games, while UK children use computers more.
Area of Science:
- Child Development
- Media Studies
- Digital Technology Use
Background:
- Understanding children's technology and screen time is crucial in the digital age.
- Comparative international data on children's device usage and screen activities is limited.
- Previous research often lacks nuanced measurement of diverse screen-based engagements.
Purpose of the Study:
- To comparatively analyze time spent by UK and US school-aged children (8-17 years) on devices and screen activities in 2014-15.
- To investigate factors influencing cross-national differences in children's technology use.
- To examine the overlap between device use, screen activities, and other daily routines.
Main Methods:
- Utilized innovative instruments to measure children's technology use and screen engagement.
- Conducted a comparative analysis between school-aged children in the UK and the US.
- Controlled for child, parent, and family-level characteristics in the analysis.
Main Results:
- Children's device use overlaps with screen-based activities, leisure, and non-leisure time in both countries.
- UK children spent more time using devices than US children; this was largely explained by family size and home internet access.
- US children used computers less than UK children but spent more time watching TV and playing video games on non-school days.
Conclusions:
- Family composition and internet access significantly influence cross-national disparities in children's device usage.
- Divergent patterns in using new devices versus established screen activities are linked to family structure and access.
- Findings highlight the complex interplay between technology, family environment, and children's daily activities.
