Publication details
Children’s Perspectives: Perceived Impacts of Digital Media on Health
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| Year of publication | 2017 |
| Type | Appeared in Conference without Proceedings |
| MU Faculty or unit | |
| Citation | |
| Description | Nowadays technology is deeply embedded in children’s lives. Their experiences with these technologies range from the negative to the positive, with the bulk of research focused on risky online behaviors. Less attention has been given to children’s experiences of the health-related outcomes of prolonged technology usage, including headaches, stomachaches, eye problems, excessive daytime sleepiness, and poor eating habits. Previous research has focused on the associations between technology use and children’s health, using mainly quantitative designs. This qualitative study describes technology’s impact on physical and mental health from children’s perspectives. Focus groups and interviews were conducted with children between the ages of 9 and 16 in 9 European countries (N = 368). During focus groups and interviews, researchers asked what children perceive as being potentially negative or problematic while using the internet and technology. Results In this study, children reported several physical and mental health problems without indicating internet addiction or overuse. Physical health symptoms included eye problems, headaches, not eating, and tiredness. For mental health symptoms, children reported cognitive salience of online events, aggression, and sleeping problems. Sometimes they reported these problems within 30 min of technology usage. This suggests that even shorter time usage can cause self-reported health problems for some children. Qualitative methodology helps to understand what children’s perspectives are concerning the impact of digital media on health. We recommend future studies focused on average technology users and low technology users to determine whether average levels of technology usage relate to health problems of children. Parents and teachers should also be informed about the possible physical and mental health issues associated with children’s average usage of technology. |
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