Exploring contemporary screen time in Australian adolescents: a qualitative study
Article
Article Title | Exploring contemporary screen time in Australian adolescents: a qualitative study |
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ERA Journal ID | 13561 |
Article Category | Article |
Authors | Thomas, George (Author), Bennie, Jason A. (Author), De Cocker, Katrien (Author) and Biddle, Stuart J. H. (Author) |
Journal Title | Health Promotion Journal of Australia |
Journal Citation | 32, pp. 238-247 |
Number of Pages | 10 |
Year | 2021 |
Publisher | John Wiley & Sons |
Place of Publication | United Kingdom |
ISSN | 1036-1073 |
Digital Object Identifier (DOI) | https://doi.org/10.1002/hpja.440 |
Web Address (URL) | https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/hpja.440 |
Abstract | Issue addressed: Screen time, a highly prevalent behaviour, can be detrimental to adolescent health. To better understand this health-related behaviour, this study explores the nature of adolescents’ contemporary screen engagement, adding to the currently limited body of qualitative research in this area. Methods: Sixteen adolescents (9 girls and 7 boys) aged 13-17 years from a secondary school in Queensland, Australia participated in semi-structured one-on-one interviews. All interviews were transcribed verbatim, anonymised and thematically analysed using an inductive approach. Results: Smartphone use was ubiquitous, occurring mostly at home, after school, and typically used for social, entertainment and functional activities. Binge-watching and multi-screening emerged as common sedentary patterns of contemporary screen engagement, often performed solitary. Screen time appeared to be an important aspect of adolescents’ social lives, while there were also some psychological, physical and behavioural concerns. Family and friends were thought to influence adolescents’ screen time either directly (co-participation) or indirectly (modelling), while social smartphone notifications were said to prompt habitual, frequent and prolonged screen engagement. Conclusion: This study provided several new insights into the nature, functions, patterns, and benefits and concerns of adolescents’ contemporary screen engagement. On the whole, adolescents engaged in a wide variety of screen-viewing practices, including newer digital media, mostly as a function to connect with friends and family. So what?: It might be desirable for screen time reduction interventions and policies to take into account the underlying social and psychological factors, and habitual nature of contemporary screen engagement among adolescents. |
Keywords | adolescents, health behaviours, qualitative methods, social media |
ANZSRC Field of Research 2020 | 420799. Sports science and exercise not elsewhere classified |
420201. Behavioural epidemiology | |
Public Notes | Files associated with this item cannot be displayed due to copyright restrictions. |
Byline Affiliations | Centre for Health Research |
Physically Active Lifestyles Research Group | |
Institution of Origin | University of Southern Queensland |
https://research.usq.edu.au/item/q6342/exploring-contemporary-screen-time-in-australian-adolescents-a-qualitative-study
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