Parent–child interactions around television and other on-screen content: considering communication and social skills

This study investigated parent–child interactions around on-screen content. Associated and predictive factors impacting quality of interactions were considered in relation to development of communication and social skills. A quantitative approach was used to analyse online survey responses of 162 Australian parents/carers. Descriptive statistics, correlations, evaluation of differences between groups, and multiple regression analyses were conducted. Children viewed an average of 17.86 hours of on-screen content (SD = 9.03) per week, with their viewing time most strongly predicted by parents’ viewing time, and frequency of unsupervised viewing. Parents did not always ask questions, make comments or conduct follow-on activities around on-screen content in a manner conducive to communication and social skills development. Findings from this study may be useful in informing realistic recommendations made to parents about using on-screen content to assist their children in developing communication and social skills.