Raising Children - How children see TV, social media videos, games and movies

In general, school-age children can follow simple plots and understand how events in a story are related to each other. But they tend to take things at face value, rather than questioning what they see on TV, in social media videos or video games or on video game entertainment sites like Twitch.

Media images and role models can influence school-age children’s behaviour and attitudes. This is because school-age children look at the environment around them for people to copy, and this might include TV characters, social media celebrities and other media figures.

Scary visual images
School-age children depend less on visual images for meaning than younger children do. But scary images and frightening scenarios can still upset them.

TV or online news can be especially frightening for school-age children. This is not only because of the images but also because school-age children know the events they see on the news are real. News reports about crime can upset them, and they might be especially worried about death.

Violent images 
TV violence can have stronger negative effects on school-age children than on younger children.

Many TV programs, movies and video games made for school-age children send the message that it’s OK for heroes to use violence, as long as it’s for a good cause. School-age children can misinterpret this message and think that violence is a good way to sort out conflict and get what you want.

We don’t know for sure how violence on screens influences children at this age. Some experts suggest that exposure to TV and video game violence can make children less sensitive to violence and might cause aggressive behaviour. But others suggest that older children can tell the difference between a game and reality, and this stops video game violence leading to real-life violence.

Good-quality apps, games, TV, movies and YouTube for school-age children can support learning and encourage positive behaviour. For example, a good-quality app for primary school-age children might get children creating animations. A quality TV show or YouTube channel might inspire new off-screen play ideas.

Screen time and digital technology use for children 6-11 years: tips for balance

Screen time and digital technology use can be part of a healthy lifestyle when they’re balanced with other activities that are good for your child’s development. These activities include physical play, outdoor play, creative play, reading and socialising. Getting the right balance also includes making sure screen time doesn’t interfere with sleep.

Our tips can help you encourage your child to use digital technology in balanced and healthy ways.

1. Make rules about screen time and digital technology use

You can help your child balance screen time and digital technology use with other activities. One of the best ways to do this is by working together on family rules or a family media plan.

Your family’s rules might cover:

• where your child can use digital technology – for example, only in family rooms or not in the car
• when your child can use digital technology – for example, mealtimes are free of TV, computers and phones, or no screens before school or until chores are finished
• how your child can use digital technology – for example, for making animations or checking a netball shooting technique, but not for playing Candy Crush
• how you handle digital technology use for children of different ages – for example, there might be some games that your older child can play only when their younger sibling is out or has gone to bed
• how your child can stay safe online – for example, by letting you know if they come across upsetting and inappropriate content, or by checking privacy and location settings and personal data safety.

It’s OK if your rules include time limits to help your child balance screen time with other things like physical activity. For example, it might help to know that Australian physical activity guidelines say school-age children should have at least one hour a day of moderate to vigorous physical activity like running or jumping.

Your family media or technology plan can include guidelines about where and when you use technology and what you use it for. Your plan will depend on your family situation, and it will probably change as your children get older and your family needs change.