Peer-reviewed article
Books Versus Screens: A Study of Australian Children’s Media Use During the COVID Pandemic
Nolan S, Day K, Shin W, Wang W ·
Summary
Written by AI, not yet AICS's view · claude-haiku-4-5-20251001A survey of 513 Australian parents examined how children aged 7-13 used screens and books during COVID lockdowns. The study found that tablet use increased during the pandemic while traditional book reading declined. Parents reported concerns that screen time came at the expense of reading, and lockdowns affected book purchasing and library borrowing patterns.
Key points
- Tablet use increased during the COVID pandemic among children aged 7-13
- Traditional book reading was affected as screen use rose
- COVID lockdowns influenced book buying and library borrowing patterns
- Parents believed children's screen use came at the expense of book reading
Limitations
The study relies on parent reports rather than direct measurement of children's actual media use, which may reflect parental perceptions and concerns rather than objective behaviour. The survey does not clarify causation or measure the specific impacts on literacy or learning outcomes.
Abstract
As children’s use of screens increased during the COVID pandemic, their reading of traditional books was affected, a national survey of Australian parents shows. The study was conducted by researchers at the University of Melbourne to compare young people’s use of screens and books in the pandemic. Their online survey of 513 primary caregivers of children aged seven to thirteen around Australia showed that tablet use flourished during the pandemic and that COVID lockdowns influenced book buying and library borrowing in consequential ways for publishing and literature. Many parents believed their children’s use of screens had come at the expense of book reading.