Digital technology has become a ubiquitous part of life for Australians of all ages – even infants. This raises important questions for both parents and researchers: Is children’s outdoor play being replaced by screen time?

An ongoing study examining infants’ use of technology and time outdoors is offering new insights into this growing concern.

As technology has become a bigger part of childhood, many worry that screen time is replacing the vital experiences children gain from playing outside, even from an early age. Most research on technology use, outdoor play, and development has focused on older children. Although infants engage with digital technology less than older children, early development is a critical stage. Therefore, it is important to conduct research regarding infants to gain more knowledge that can help parents make informed decisions in the daily lives of their young children.

To help children maintain a healthy balance, it could be beneficial for parents and other stakeholders to know how both ‘screen time’ and ‘green time’ influence development at the early stages. Using questionnaire data from parents in Western Australia, we are currently exploring how infants’ use of digital technology, outdoor play time and parents’ connection to nature relate to early childhood development.

How does outdoor play and screen time influence infant development?

As digital devices become a bigger part of everyday life, there is increasing interest in how they influence early childhood development. Some studies suggest that too much screen time during infancy can delay cognitive and language skills. However, other research shows that the effects of technology use are more complex and may vary depending on family life and how the technology is used. There is some evidence that, when used thoughtfully, digital technology may support aspects of child development.

A previous study we did suggests that infants’ use of mobile touch screen devices have a negative impact on gross motor and problem solving aspects of infant development¹. However, this relationship is complex and highly influenced by other family factors, such as the parents’ mental well-being. Therefore, it is important to consider other factors that may influence infant development instead of focusing solely on screen time¹. 

Playing outside is one key factor that remains important for healthy development. Previous research shows that spending time playing outside isn’t just fun for children – it can also improve social skills, prepare children for school, and boost their overall well-being. Our preliminary results also suggest that infant outdoor play time is linked with multiple positive development outcomes. This means that when playing more outside, the infant is more likely to develop better communication skills, problem solving skills, motor skills and social skills. So, whether it’s a walk in the park, playing in the backyard, or exploring nature together, spending time outside is beneficial for young children.

Is ‘screen time’ replacing ‘green time’?

Not all children have the same opportunities to play outdoors. Factors like neighborhood safety and access to green spaces can shape how much time children spend outside. Parents’ attitudes toward nature also play a key role, as those who value outdoor experiences may be more likely to encourage their infants to spend time outside. Although not all children have access to digital devices due to different barriers, such as financial or home environment, they are often easily accessible for children. It seems plausible to think that if a child spends a lot of time using digital technology, this could replace time playing outside. However, our preliminary results show that this is not the case. We found no association between the amount of time spent using technology and time spent playing outside. This shows that children may be able to do both, they can have fun using different technology devices and still have time to enjoy the various play opportunities that the outdoors offer.

How are parents’ attitudes influencing their infants?

Young children are not able to decide their own lifestyle but are naturally influenced by their parents’ habits and attitudes. Therefore, it is interesting to investigate how parents’ attitudes and interests influence how much time their children play outside and how much time they use on digital technology. Previous research has shown that parents’ attitudes towards nature and outdoor play influence their child’s relationship with nature. Our preliminary results show that the more a mother relates to nature, the more time her infant spends playing outside and the less time they spend in front of the TV. So, it seems that when mothers feel connected to nature, their infants are more likely to spend time playing outside and less time on screens.

Where does this leave us?

Overall, these insights reveal that the relationship between outdoor play, technology use, and infant development is complex. There is no simple solution for enhancing child development, as no single factor determines the outcomes. It may be more beneficial to view it as a balance between digital technology use and playing outside. Rather than simply considering screen time as bad and playing outside as good, with the right balance, children can enjoy the benefits of both digital experiences and outdoor play and develop in a healthy way.

Beynon AM, Straker LM, Lund Rasmussen C, Hendry D, Stearne SM, Zubrick SR, Jongeling B, Harris C, Silva D, Zabatiero J. Influence of maternal and infant technology use and other family factors on infant development. BMC pediatrics. 2024 Oct 30;24(1):690.