Educational Technology Research

Educational Technology Research

Media used by kids 0-8

I explored the article from the Common sense census: Media used by kids age zero to eight. This article tracked the use of media in kids from birth to eight years old in the United States. The data collected covers the frequency, the context, content, parents attitude, and parent experiences. I found a few of the key findings very interesting.

The first key finding from this article was that on average, children (0-8) use about two and a half hours of screen time a day. When breaking that screen time down, majority of children (73%) were spending most of their time watching tv or videos. 16% of children were spending their screen time on games. Very little time was being spent reading (3%), doing homework (1%), and video chatting (1%). When looking at the data by age, children under two averaged about 49 minutes a day, children ages 2-4 averaged 2 and a half hours a day, and children 5-8 averaged about 3 hours and 5 minutes a day. 

Image source: Common senses census

Image source: Common sense census

When breaking down the time spent on what app, the second key finding was that online videos dominated the children's screen time. When you look at Figure A, you can see that TV/ video viewing almost took up majority of the chart. When breaking down that 73%, it was found that children were watching online videos (37%) , subscription service (29%) , television (23%) , and DVDs (11%). 

Image source: Common sense census

Next, the article explored home internet access by income from 2011-2020 and home computer access by income from 2011-2020. According to the article, it was found that 26% of children from lower income families lacked having internet access in their home. It was also found that 37% of children from lower income families did not have a laptop or a computer in their home. 

Image source: Common sense census

Image source: Common sense census

Overall, the parents had positive views of the screen time that their children were using. Many of the parents reported (6/10) that they were satisfied with their child's screen time and not concerned about the amount of time that their children were spending on screens. They were not concerned about what they were spending their time on, or when their child has to disengage with the screen. 59% of the parents said that it is not difficult for their child to put the screen away when asked, where as 40% found it difficult for their child. 

What now?

Overall, I found this articles key findings very interesting. As we all know, the pandemic made a lot of people heavily rely on internet and electronic devices. For months we did everything through our electronic devices. We worked from home on our computers, taught students on a video call, socialized with friends virtually, streamed live workout classes, you name it.  Even before all of this, I would notice that majority of my students would do anything for some iPad time or they knew how to work it by themselves. This would tell me that they are very comfortable with electronics and probably have spent quite some time on one. I was not surprised when I saw the daily averages for the different ages. I also was not surprised when I saw that majority of children were spending their screen time on videos. Last year during remote teaching, one of my students would have his iPad set up on him for class and be watching Youtube on a cell phone (there was no adult in the room to take the phone away and we are pretty sure he had us muted, but that's a whole other issue). 

I thought it was interesting how many different components this article explored and it's findings. Now for me as a teacher, this helps verify my own personal preferences for my classroom. I very rarely use the iPads for my students because I only have my students for 3 hours each day (since I teach half day preschool). I feel that in those 3 hours that I have them, I try to get as much done as possible and want to limit screen time because I feel that they get that at home. Especially this year, many of my kids need a lot of support with social emotional and communicating with others. Since this is something we are working on, having them spend time on a screen at school will not help us with that at all. 

Overall, I really enjoyed this article even though I was not surprised, but is a great read for all teachers!

Gif source: Giphy

References

2020 Common Sense Census: Media Used by Kids ages 0-8