Cultural and Societal Factors Contributing to Higher Screen Time in Māori and Pacific Children
Multiple cultural and societal factors contribute to higher rates of screen time among Māori and Pacific children, including socioeconomic disparities, family structure, cultural communication patterns, and limited access to culturally relevant alternatives.
Socioeconomic Factors
Socioeconomic status plays a significant role in screen time patterns among Māori and Pacific children:
- Children living in poverty consistently show higher rates of screen time, with research showing that elevated screen time during the pandemic (60.9% in 2020) remained high (58.9% in 2021) for children in poverty even as rates normalized in other groups 1
- Māori and Pacific Islander populations experience higher rates of socioeconomic disadvantage, which correlates with increased screen time exposure
- Limited financial resources may restrict access to alternative activities that could replace screen time
Cultural Communication Patterns
Traditional communication styles may inadvertently influence screen use:
- The "talanoa" tradition (collaborative discussion) mentioned in Healthier Together program development highlights the importance of oral communication in Māori and Pacific cultures 2
- In modern contexts, digital devices may have replaced some traditional communication spaces
- Screen-based communication may be seen as maintaining cultural connections with extended family and community members
Parenting Approaches and Family Structure
Family dynamics specific to Māori and Pacific communities influence screen time:
- Extended family living arrangements common in these communities may create environments where multiple caregivers have different screen time rules
- Cultural values around child autonomy may differ from Western parenting approaches that strictly limit screen time
- Parents may experience ambivalence about technology use, perceiving expert guidance as unrealistic for their family context 3
Limited Culturally Relevant Alternatives
The lack of culturally appropriate alternatives contributes to higher screen time:
- Limited availability of physical activity programs specifically designed for Māori and Pacific children 2
- Insufficient culturally relevant educational resources that could serve as alternatives to screen-based entertainment
- Community programs that successfully engage these populations, like the Healthier Together initiative, demonstrate the importance of cultural tailoring 2
Health Implications
The health consequences of excessive screen time are significant:
- Higher screen time is associated with lower language development, educational skills, and social functioning 4
- More than 1.5 hours of daily screen time at age 2 correlates with below-average language and educational abilities by age 4.5 4
- Children with 2+ hours of daily screen time show lower psychological well-being among preschool-aged children 1
Effective Intervention Approaches
Successful interventions must address cultural factors:
- Community-led participatory approaches are essential for engaging Māori and Pacific communities 2
- Health promotion activities specifically designed for these populations have shown success in other health contexts 5
- Co-design methodology that acknowledges cultural diversity creates openness, respect, and shared purpose 2
The development of culturally tailored programs like Healthier Together demonstrates that addressing screen time in Māori and Pacific children requires approaches that respect cultural values while promoting healthier behaviors.