Why screen time quality is important
The quality of screen time matters.
Good-quality apps, games, TV, movies and online videos can be good for many aspects of your child’s development, including their learning, behaviour and wellbeing. And children get the most benefit from good-quality media when it’s balanced with other activities like physical play, creative play , reading and socialising.
In contrast, poor-quality digital media has very few benefits. For example, children get very little out of spending time alone watching animations that include ads for toys or unhealthy foods.
How can you tell whether apps, games, TV, movies and online videos are good quality?
You can work out whether apps, games, TV shows, movies or online videos – like YouTube Kids videos – are good quality by looking at:
- how your child engages with them
- whether they help your child learn and develop
- what kind of messages they have
- whether the settings are right for your child.
It’s good to talk with your child about what makes an app, game, TV show, movie or YouTube Kids video ‘good’. This can help them start to learn about making quality choices in their use of digital technology.
1. Check the quality of engagement in apps, games, TV, movies and online videos
The best apps, games, TV, movies and online videos will:
- stimulate and entertain your child
- leave your child feeling happy and good about themselves
- make your child feel safe, rather than threatened or anxious
- have ideas and story elements that are age appropriate for your child
- engage your child’s imagination.
Examples of apps, games, TV, movies and online videos that promote engagement might be:
- a YouTube Kids video with an unusual twist
- an app with interesting artwork
- a game with quirky characters
- an app that guides your child through a child-friendly mindfulness activity.
2. Check the learning and development benefits of apps, games, TV, movies and online videos
The best apps, games, TV, movies and online videos help your child learn and develop. They:
- encourage creativity
- encourage problem-solving
- develop communication skills
- develop social skills and caring behaviour
- build on interests
- inspire new off-screen play and creative ideas.
Examples of apps, games, TV, movies and online videos with learning and development benefits might be:
- a TV show that inspires your child to act out stories
- a game that encourages your child to work out what clothes characters should wear in different kinds of weather
- an app that lets your child chat to family and friends
- a YouTube Kids video that encourages your child to take turns, work as a team or help others
- an app that lets your child explore explore scenarios that interest them, like a zoo or the ocean.
3. Check the messages in apps, games, TV, movies and online videos
Good apps, games, TV, movies and YouTube Kids videos:
- have positive messages about relationships, family and lifestyle
- have inclusive messages about disability, gender, race and culture
- include common scenarios and situations that children like playing in real life, like ‘hospital’ or ‘zoo’.
Online reviews can help you decide whether a movie, app or game is good quality and has benefits. Try our movie reviews, movie reviews on Common Sense Media or app reviews on Children and Media Australia. Use Australian Classification to find out what different age classifications mean.
4. Check the settings in apps, games, TV, movies and online videos
To get a sense of overall quality, you can also check the following aspects of apps, games, TV, movies and online videos:
- Age range – check that the recommended age range matches your child’s age.
- Language level – check that your child can understand the language.
- In-app purchases – check that in-app purchases are blocked and one-click payment options are disabled.
- Privacy settings – check the terms and conditions to see whether and how games and apps collect data, and make sure you’re comfortable with this.
Apps, games, TV, movies and online videos to avoid
It’s best if your child avoids apps, games, TV, movies and YouTube Kids videos that:
- celebrate violence, bad attitudes, unhealthy eating, gambling and other antisocial activities
- are designed to market or sell products like snack food or movie merchandise to children
- make children feel they need to ‘watch just one more’ or ‘play just one more’, including games that don’t allow children to save their progress.
It’s best for your child to avoid games that simulate gambling, have casino themes, betting activities or risk-and-reward activities, or use fake money or tokens. Games with gambling themes and activities might lead to gambling in adulthood.