What cultural and societal norms contribute to higher rates of screen time in Māori and Pacific children?

Cultural and Societal Factors Contributing to Higher Screen Time Among Māori and Pacific Children

Several cultural and societal norms contribute to higher rates of screen time among Māori and Pacific children, including socioeconomic factors, safety concerns, parental screen use patterns, and limited awareness of screen time guidelines.

Socioeconomic Factors

• Lower socioeconomic status (SES): Lower SES is strongly associated with higher levels of sedentary behavior among children 1
• Children living in poverty have persistently higher rates of screen time, which did not return to pre-pandemic levels in 2021 unlike other demographic groups 2
• The relatively inexpensive nature of television, videos, and computer games makes them accessible forms of entertainment for families with limited financial resources 1

Safety and Environmental Concerns

• In neighborhoods with high crime rates, parents may view indoor activities as a proactive means of avoiding danger 1
• This protective parenting strategy inadvertently increases sedentary screen time as children are kept indoors for safety reasons
• Limited access to safe outdoor play spaces disproportionately affects communities with higher proportions of Māori and Pacific families

Parental Modeling and Monitoring

• Parents shape children's screen behavior through their own TV viewing and sedentary practices 1
• Parental monitoring of children's screen time may be lower in some communities due to:
  • Work demands and time constraints
  • Limited awareness of screen time guidelines
  • Cultural norms around shared media consumption

Cultural Context of Media Use

• Screen use may serve important cultural and social functions within Māori and Pacific communities:
  • Maintaining connections with extended family overseas
  • Access to cultural content and language
  • Shared family entertainment experiences

Awareness of Guidelines and Health Impacts

• There may be limited awareness of screen time guidelines within some communities
• Only 24.7% of children under 2 years and 35.6% of children aged 2-5 years meet recommended screen time guidelines globally 1
• Health promotion interventions have been shown to be effective when culturally tailored, as demonstrated in other health contexts for Māori and Pacific communities 3

Parenting Styles and Family Characteristics

• Parenting styles related to children's sedentary behavior may differ across cultural and socioeconomic groups 1
• Family structures and childcare arrangements may influence screen time monitoring and enforcement
• Cultural values around child autonomy and family decision-making may affect how screen time rules are established and enforced

Addressing Screen Time Through Cultural Tailoring

Effective interventions should be co-designed with Māori and Pacific communities, as demonstrated by the "Healthier Together" program which used culturally tailored approaches to address childhood obesity 4. Such programs acknowledge the importance of:

• Cultural values and practices
• Community leadership and participation
• Recognition of unique social contexts
• Addressing structural barriers rather than focusing solely on individual behavior change

Understanding these cultural and societal factors is essential for developing effective, culturally appropriate interventions to promote healthier screen time habits among Māori and Pacific children.