Screens and devices have become ubiquitous in many, if not all, aspects of our lives. However, research and national guidelines commonly highlight the negative cognitive effects associated with excessive ‘screentime’, or the amount of time spent on digital devices. This is particularly concerning for children who are in critical stages of cognitive and social development and learning, leading to an increasingly prominent area of concern amongst parents.

At AMP Singapore’s 4th National Convention held in 2022, the Family Panel discussed the risks associated with the heavy reliance on digital devices for entertainment and education and its impact on family values and relationships. Following the convention, AMP Singapore’s research subsidiary, the Centre for Research on Islamic and Malay Affairs (RIMA), disseminated a survey exploring children’s screen usage within the Malay/Muslim community and how it translates into daily practices. A total of 160 parents and 32 children shared their experiences about screentime including the amount of time and money spent on screens, the activities their children most frequently engaged in, as well as strategies and challenges in managing screentime.

Read the full brief here: Navigating Screentime at Home (Brief)

Photo by Rapha Wilde on Unsplash