Parents play crucial role in preventing childhood internet addiction, new study confirms

We know that it can be difficult to pry children away from their screens, from a young age already.

New research led by the Swinburne University of Technology confirms that use of mobile devices by primary school-aged children for gaming, social media and streaming significantly increases the risk of internet addiction.

What the findings emphasize, is that parents are the main influence.

The study found that over one in four (28%) kids were at risk of internet addiction, with more than 63% exceeding recommended screen time guideline, in its survey of Indonesian primary school children.

And although the results are for one country, they suggest similarly alarming global figures as technology increasingly impacts children worldwide, said Swinburne's Associate Professor Abdullah Al Mahmud.

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When it comes to the popular pastime of gaming, as resident tech expert Siphumelele Zondi points out, gamification has affected almost everything, from kids' education to adults learning languages.

"There are suggestions that children are interested more in education if they are doing it through a video game of sorts. And, yes, they might learn more, they might register concepts better if they're playing games but it does pose a danger."

How parents can help curb screen addiction:

• Limit recreational screen time
• Filter inappropriate content
• Promote internet use for positive purposes
• Encourage real-world activities