Screen ORIGINS Family Interviews
This study is seeking parental views and practices regarding screen technology use by families and young children.
The aim of these interviews is to understand how parents of preschool-aged children make decisions about their child’s screen use, and the factors that shape those decisions during this stage of early childhood.
ORIGINS research shows that 37% of five-year-old children have their own screen device.
While this technology provides exciting opportunities, many parents and professionals in the early childhood sector have concerns about the impacts on children’s emotions, social communication, early social and cognitive learning, and physical activity and postures.
Parents and other caregivers have pivotal roles in helping young children develop appropriate habits for screen technology use. This study will help researchers understand what technology usage looks like - from parents and children - inside the family home.
Who can participate?
- Active ORIGINS families (families who take part in routine Kids Checks, questionnaires, and biological sampling)
- ORIGINS children aged between four and six years old
What does participation involve?
- You will take part in a 45–60 minute interview with a member of the research team, either online or in person at the ORIGINS Edgewater clinic, at a time that suits you.
- The interview will be audio recorded to ensure an accurate record of your responses.
- We will ask about how you make decisions regarding your child's screen use and the factors that influence those decisions.
- Before the interview, you will be asked to complete a brief questionnaire about your family, which will take approximately 5 minutes.
- After the study is complete, you will receive a summary of the findings and have the opportunity to provide feedback.
- To thank you for your time, you will receive a $50 Coles & Myer e-voucher.
What are the benefits of participating?
All participants taking part in this research will receive a $50 Coles & Myer e-voucher.
Participation may increase your awareness of your family’s screen use, while the information you provide will help us better understand screen use in families with young children and develop practical guidance for parents in today’s digital world.
We do not anticipate any risks or inconvenience from taking part in this study; however, some questions may cover personal topics, and you may skip any question or take a break at any time.
How to get involved?
Read the Patient Information Flyer and sign the electronic consent form to complete your questionnaires online.
By signing the consent form, you agree to take part in the research study after understanding all the information provided in the Patient Information Flyer.
For more information, you can contact the research team at:
- Name: Dr Juliana Zabatiero (Principal Investigator) or Kate Fitzgerald (Research Fellow)
- Telephone: 08 9266 9456
- Email: Juliana.zabatiero@curtin.edu.au | Kate.e.fitzgerald@curtin.edu.au
Ethics approval
This project has been reviewed and approved by the Ramsay Health Care Human Research Ethics Committee A as meeting the requirements of the National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research, 2023. The ethics approval number is 2018/ETH/1804. Reciprocal approval has been obtained from the Curtin University HREC (HRE2018-0065).
If you are concerned about the way this project is being conducted or you wish to make a complaint to someone independent from the project, please contact the HREC Executive Officer:
Email: HREC.RHC@ramsayhealth.com.au
Phone: (02) 9433 3854