Screen-Free Time With Friends to Promote Face-to-Face Peer Interaction and Reduce Recreational Screen Use Among...

Area of Science:

• Child development
• Public health interventions
• Digital media effects

Background:

• Children's leisure time has shifted towards increased screen media use and decreased face-to-face peer interaction.
• This shift may negatively impact children's physical and mental well-being.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the "Screen-Free Time With Friends" intervention using a cluster randomized controlled trial.
• The intervention aims to boost face-to-face peer interaction and reduce recreational screen time in 9-11 year olds.

Main Methods:

• A cluster randomized controlled trial involving 18 Danish schools with children aged 9-11.
• The intervention comprises curricular activities, family meetings, parent exercises, after-school club programs, and community workshops.
• Outcomes including face-to-face interaction and screen time are assessed via SMS-based questionnaires at baseline and follow-up.

Main Results:

• Data collection occurred from December 2023 to August 2025.
• As of March 2026, data analysis is pending, and no results are available.
• Study findings are anticipated by the end of 2026.

Conclusions:

• The study will yield crucial data on the intervention's effectiveness, implementation, context, and mechanisms.
• Results will guide stakeholders in creating environments that foster peer interaction and balanced screen use.
• Findings may influence policy, inform new initiatives, and inspire future research on children's leisure interventions.