Parents' excessive screen time contributes to 'problematic internet use' in children, study finds

“Digital technologies evolve rapidly, so the true extent of the challenges faced by parents and children in the digital era is likely not yet fully understood,” lead author Dr Celine Fox said.

Commissioned by BlockW, the ESRI study said that while digital technologies can benefit children, they can also negatively impact their wellbeing.

It said digital companies use a range of design features such as infinite scrolling and personalised feeds to maximise the amount of time children spend online, which can be addictive.

The content they get recommended online can expose children to misogynistic, extremist, and self-harm related material. Regulators in Ireland have been aiming to clamp down on such content being made available to children and have promised to penalise companies that allow children to see it.

The ESRI said: “Children frequently encounter harms online, including exposure to age inappropriate or harmful content, interactions with malicious individuals, involvement in risky behaviours and falling prey to deceptive contracts.

These often lead to distress. While not all children experience these harms, many do, suggesting that there is insufficient protection against them. 

All of this adds up to a challenge for parents in keeping their children safe online, as the ESRI pointed out they are often considered the “first, last, and strongest line of defence” for their children’s online safety.

It said parents have greater knowledge of what their children are getting up to online when they adopt mediation strategies, alongside setting clear rules and boundaries.

However, it added that “excessive parental phone use disrupts parent–child interactions, undermines family relationships, and contributes to children’s emotional distress and problematic internet use”.

The report concluded that parents cannot be solely responsible for safeguarding children online and while measures such as smartphone bans in schools are gaining support, evidence of their effects are “inconclusive”.

“Children’s online safety can be considered a public health problem requiring public health interventions,” it said.

“Parents, schools, digital technology companies, and governments need to co-ordinate their efforts to ensure children’s wellbeing when engaging with digital technologies.”