Section 7: How the pandemic affected children’s mental health and wellbeing 7.7 Digital technology and social media One result of the pandemic restrictions, in particular lockdowns and remote schooling, was a greater reliance on digital technology. In the survey, children’s increased use of technology during the pandemic was perceived by children, and parents/guardians and grandparents as having both a positive and negative influence on children’s mental health and wellbeing. When children were asked whether they had experienced any problems or negative experiences with digital technology or social media in the last two years, 52% of children stated they had at least one problem or negative experience. 18% of children stated that they did not experience any problems or negative experiences, and 30% of children did not answer the question. 81% of parents/guardians and grandparents reported that their child had at least one problem or negative experience with digital technology or social media. The top three selected problems or negative experiences faced by children were: 1. using social media or technology for gaming or things like YouTube a lot more than usual 2. tiredness from extra time on screens 3. being distracted by social media or technology a lot more than usual Figure 20: Children’s survey: in the last two years, have you experienced any problems or negative experiences with digital technology or social media? select all that apply Using social media or technology (like watching YouTube or online gaming) a lot more than usual 1377 1321 Tiredness from extra screens Being distracted by social media or technology a lot more than usual 1212 Arguing about screen time with parents/carers 1003 I did not have any problems or negative experiences 835 424 Cyberbullying Something else Not having the technology I need (like not having a laptop for school) 82 | 302 239 Recent Australian research has explored the links between mental health and use of digital devices. In the Growing Up Digital Australia report, 37% of children reported being anxious or depressed because of their time online or because they were not allowed to use their device.41 While children’s top concern was their increased usage of social media or technology, it was also one of the top three things that they said helped them to stay happy and hopeful during the pandemic (see Figure 23). Responses by parents/guardians and grandparents were generally consistent with those of children. Their three most common concerns were: 1. being distracted by social media or technology a lot more than usual 2. using social media or technology for gaming or things like YouTube a lot more than usual 3. conflict in our family about screen time Parental concern about the overuse of technology is also reported in other research. 54% of parents in the 2021 Ontario Parent Survey about COVID-19 impacts also reported that they had moderate to high levels of concern about managing their children’s screen time in the pandemic.42 Some key stakeholders also shared concerns that it would be difficult to ‘wind back and adjust back to normal’ after children accessed extra screen time during the pandemic. In this survey, parents/guardians and grandparents were especially concerned about the mental health and wellbeing impacts of children’s increased use of digital technology and social media for social interactions during the pandemic. Some said they were uncertain about what the lasting impacts might be. They also expressed a desire for their children to reduce their reliance on social media in the future: ‘Mental health shapes my life’: COVID-19 & kids’ wellbeing • 2022 | 83