Children's screen time increased during the pandemic: "Does not have to be bad"

Researchers at Linköping University have investigated what children aged 4-6 have done in front of the screen during the covid-19 pandemic - and how the parents participated.

- It does not have to be negative that the screen time has increased.

We can say that the screen time for children has increased by 80 percent, but we have looked at what the children actually did that increased - it is the child's communication that increased.

They keep in touch with grandma and grandpa and keep in touch with friends.

It is a positive increase in the use of digital media, says Anette Sundqvist.

240 parents participated

The study involved 240 parents of children aged 4-6 years.

The study shows that computer and television gaming also increased during the pandemic, but that the parents were less involved when the children played.

- There are far fewer parents who sit and talk about it.

This is something we need to think about a bit and maybe even change, says Anette Sundqvist.

In the clip above, Anette Sundqvist tells more about her study.