Screen Time Trends Among New Zealand Children
Based on the most recent evidence, screen time among New Zealand children is increasing over time, with New Zealand children having among the highest rates of screen use in the world. 1
Current Screen Time Patterns
Global Context
- A 2022 systematic review and meta-analysis revealed that only a minority of children worldwide are meeting screen time guidelines 2:
- Only 24.7% of children younger than 2 years meet guidelines (no screen time)
- Only 35.6% of children aged 2-5 years meet the 1-hour daily guideline
- 56.0% of children aged 2-5 years meet the 2-hours daily guideline
New Zealand Specific Findings
- New Zealand children have "among the highest rates of screen use in the world" according to recent medical literature 1
- This high rate is particularly concerning as longitudinal data from the Growing Up in New Zealand study shows that higher levels of screen exposure in early childhood (2-4.5 years) are associated with:
- Lower vocabulary development
- Reduced communication skills
- Poorer writing abilities
- Decreased numeracy and letter fluency
- Higher levels of peer relationship problems 3
Temporal Trends in Screen Time
Evidence of Increasing Screen Time
- For children under 2 years, meta-regression analyses indicated that meeting screen time guidelines was 2.43 times more likely in more recent studies (1999-2017), suggesting some improvement in this age group 2
- However, for children aged 2-5 years, adherence to screen use guidelines has not substantially changed over time 2
- Recent research indicates that screen time has been growing globally, with a notable increase during the COVID-19 pandemic 4
- The average screen time of schoolchildren aged 6-14 was 2.77 hours per day, with 46.4% having screen time ≥2 hours per day 4
Contributing Factors to Increased Screen Time
- Increased availability and use of devices such as smartphones and tablets 3
- Limited policy guidance in early childhood education settings - a survey of New Zealand childcare services found that 35% had a written activity policy, but none specifically addressed screen use 5
- Age-related trends showing decreasing adherence to 24-Hour Movement Guidelines (which include screen time limits) as children get older 2
- Possible explanations include:
- Greater number and types of electronic devices with less parental control as children age
- Increased autonomy in behavioral choices
- Reduced sleep duration due to academic demands
- Fewer parental restrictions 2
Implications and Recommendations
- More than 1.5 hours of daily direct screen time at age 2 is associated with below-average language and educational ability and above-average peer relationship problems at age 4.5 3
- Exposure to more than 2.5 hours of daily direct screen time is associated with higher than average peer relationship problems at age 8 3
- There is a need for pragmatic recommendations for digital technology use in New Zealand schools, kura kaupapa, and early childhood education 1
- Intervention measures should be explored to control children's screen use, focusing on reducing non-essential uses 4
The evidence clearly demonstrates that screen time among New Zealand children is high and increasing, with concerning implications for their development and well-being. This trend aligns with global patterns but appears particularly pronounced in New Zealand.