How Parents View Kids’ Screentime Since the Pandemic

The most recent study from Child Mind Institute, supported by Morgan Stanley, shows parents see both benefits and disadvantages with the rise in internet use due to the COVID-19 crisis.

Morgan Stanley launched its Alliance for Children’s Mental Health (Alliance) in the early part of 2020, making use of the expertise of renowned nonprofit organizations, including Child Mind Institute, and the capabilities and reach that are available to Morgan Stanley to address the pressing and complex issues of anxiety, stress, and depression among young and old adults. The COVID-19 epidemic struck shortly after, dramatically increasing the number of youngsters suffering from mental illnesses. It also caused an increase in internet usage because youngsters were required to go to school online and connect online with people they could not meet in person.

What has the ongoing rise in screen time affected parents and children, and what are parents’ feelings about the change? Morgan Stanley sponsored a study conducted by Alliance Partner Child Mind Institute to learn more. The findings showed that although there are worries among the parents of children, they perceived the benefits of spending more time online, such as greater family connection.

Identifying Parents’ Concerns

The initial data point discovered was not a shock: screentime is an integral aspect of our lives. About a quarter (26 percent) of parents surveyed report having their computers open for at least six hours daily. This number increased to 37 percent, on the other hand, when they were asked to comment about their kids’ habits. In addition, 59% of parents surveyed said they had become more relaxed concerning internet use since the outbreak.

This does not mean that they are not concerned. Based on the survey results, most parents know about the dangers connected to internet usage. Three-quarters (77 percent) of those surveyed agreed that children are susceptible to addiction to the Internet. Moreover, more than double the number of parents (22 percent) concerned about their children’s internet addiction than they are about addiction to drugs (10 percent). One-third (34 percent) are equally concerned about addiction to the Internet and addiction to drugs.

Alongside the possibility of addiction to the Internet, In addition, the study found that:

• 53 percent of parents are worried about bullying online
• Sixty-seven percent of parents are concerned about online information their children can access.
• Parents make up 32% who frequently are overwhelmed by their computers when spending time with their children.

Half of the parents polled also expressed concerns about the effects of internet usage on their children’s cognitive, social, and emotional health. However, most parents believe that their children can use the Internet safely (73 percent) and are comfortable speaking about internet usage with their children (82 percent).

The Benefits and Drawbacks of Family Internet Use

The study suggests that parents’ overall views are optimistic regarding the effects of more screen time for their families. Nearly half (46 percent) of parents believe that the Internet boosts connectivity within their family, and 22 percent of their parents do not agree. A more significant percentage (56 percent) stated that the Internet improves their connection to extended families. When explicitly asked about the Internet’s positive impact on connectivity, most parents reported that it has allowed them to share positive memories and be more flexible in arranging time for their family.

However, the study also confirms the findings of earlier Child Mind Institute research about increased screen time during the epidemic and its effects on children. Parents’ actions could contribute to troublesome internet use (PIU) patterns in children. Notably, patterns of PIU among parents were found to be significantly linked with the patterns of PIU in their children. In addition, research has shown that negative parenting styles, such as ineffective discipline and inadequate supervision, are significantly associated with PIU among children as well as that co-parenting issues (like the high level of conflict or distrust among parents) are linked to greater levels of PIU in parents and children, and fewer levels of parental concern about the consequences of their children’s internet usage. Interestingly, the impact of parental PIU on their children’s behavior on the Internet was evident even among parents who did not have a history of hostile parenting. In the end, these results suggest that an easy and effective method to reduce the risk of PIU among children is for parents to look at their online behavior.

Conclusion

The survey shows that the average American family generally does not see themselves in a crisis about internet use. However, many parents have legitimate worries. Parents must be comfortable talking with their children about the Internet. The study offers a variety of strategies parents can implement to encourage the use of the Internet healthily. They include:

• Discuss concerns regarding internet addiction. Be honest with your children about your concerns and what the data shows. PIU has been linked to a variety of negative consequences. A clear understanding of expectations from parents is crucial to influence children’s behavior to avoid these negative consequences.
• Be open about how you use the Internet. Try to keep your screen time from your children can incite them to use the same method. In the same way, demonstrating healthy habits while admitting to them and showing ways to avoid unhealthy ones is crucial. It is a behavior you can influence that could significantly impact your child’s online use.
• Family connection in the background: Responsible internet use has considerable advantages in bringing families–including extended families together. If the rules are reasonable and in effect, the Internet could be a fantastic method for children to participate and positively interact with their families.

Morgan Stanley is committed to combating the mental health of children problem via its Alliance for Children’s Mental Health. Through its support of the Alliance’s nonprofit partners, which includes research crucial in identifying and finding solutions to the problems of stress, depression, anxiety, and depression among children, The Alliance seeks to develop new strategies, create results and bring about systemic change.

About the Survey

The survey, carried out by the research company Ipsos and Ipsos, reached a representative sample comprising 1 005 U.S. parents of children aged 9-15. The survey was conducted from July 21, the 21st, until August 17, August 17, 2022. The survey asked parents to share their views on internet usage, their family’s habits of use, and the potential threats that may lead to the problem of internet use (PIU) for children. It is defined as using the Internet in practices that adversely affect their lives. The co-authors comprise Child Mind Institute research scientists Michel P. Milham, MD Ph.D. as well as Giovanni Salum, MD, Ph.D., as well as Kathleen Ries Merikangas, Ph.D. along with Kevin Conway, Ph.D., from the National Institute on Mental Health (NIMH). (Drs. Conway and Merikangas were funded through The Intramural research program of the National Institutes of Health. This study does not represent the views of NIMH. )

The study is the most recent Child Mind Institute work examining the Internet and the impact of pandemics on families, work that Morgan Stanley backs. The previous research included CRISIS, the Coronavirus Health and Impact Survey (CRISIS), a study of PIU using the Child Mind Institute’s Healthy Brain Network, and Recommendations for Screen Time from Child Mind Institute researchers.