Deakin researchers in world first study of children's technology use

As the only Victorian university in the newly established Australian Research Council (ARC) Centre of Excellence for the Digital Child, Deakin University will contribute to research programs being led by the Queensland University of Technology (QUT) along with four other Australian universities.

Amongst the Centre's research programs is a world first longitudinal study into the way children use technology at home and within the family, gathering data from thousands of participants from birth to the age of eight.

Knowledge gained from the research will be used to develop open access resources and professional training to help minimise digital risks and encourage positive digital experiences.

The Federal Government has announced $34.9 million to establish the new Centre which will bridge the disciplines of health, education and information technology and lead the international agenda in digital wellbeing in children.

Professor Julian Sefton-Green, from Deakin's School of Education, said the Centre and its programs involve partnerships with government, non-government organisations and industry and had enormous potential to contribute to improving the education and wellbeing of Australian children.

"Digital technology is fundamentally changing the nature of education and this change isn't happening just in schools but across the whole of children's lives," Professor Sefton-Green said.

"One of the difficult things for parents, and teachers, is that advice about the impact of screen time is so conflicting.

"Children are growing, learning and connecting with digital technology but there is scarce evidence and a lack of shared understanding about the screen time that results in positive outcomes for children and those that create risks or harm.

"Many parents also feel anxious about the amount of time their children spend on their screens.

"Fears and concerns can lead to parents restricting or limiting screen time but this can also result in children missing out on opportunities to use digital technology in ways that will help them flourish."

Deakin researchers will participate in several major strands of the research program looking at children's technology use at home including video games and children's wellbeing, learning in diverse settings, data analytics and children's digital rights, equity of use and access, impacts on family life, the internet of things and commercialisation and the digital child.

"This is the first time research of this size and scale has been undertaken on this topic in the world," Professor Sefton-Green said.

"It will give us the information we need to help parents and teachers better understand the enormous potential of digital technology so that we can help children build their resilience in this space and maximise their opportunities to learn and play but at the same time use digital technology in a safe and sustainable way."