key findings at a glance

• prevalence of screen time: almost 50% of the time children spend with grandparents involves interacting with media on a screen.
• mediation strategies: grandparents employ various techniques, including supervision, instruction, and restriction, but co-using media is less common.
• tech confidence matters: grandparents with higher technological skills are more likely to supervise and interact with their grandchildren’s media use.
• generational disagreements: negative beliefs about media among grandparents correlate with increased disagreements with their adult children about media use.

the grandparent effect: a growing influence

grandparents play an increasingly significant role in childcare, influencing children’s media habits and family dynamics. cecilia sada garibay, lead study author and a graduate student studying communication at the university of arizona, observed this firsthand.

i am the mother of four kids,and my mother has always helped me take care of them. i noticed that my children used media differently when they were with her than when they were with me,and my friends with children noticed the same thing.

this observation led to a thorough survey of 350 grandparents in the u.s., conducted alongside matthew lapierre, associate professor of communication. the study, published in the journal of children and media, delves into the strategies grandparents use to manage media consumption.

inside the survey: demographics and habits

the survey focused on grandparents who were not primary caregivers but supervised grandchildren aged 2-10 at least three times a month. the average age of the grandparents was 55, while the grandchildren averaged 5 years old. the survey explored:

• living situations: 35% never lived with their grandchild and family, while others varied from a few weeks to the entire year.
• media consumption: participants reported on the hours children spent watching tv, playing video games, or using the internet during their care.
• mediation techniques: grandparents were asked about their use of supervisory, instructive, restrictive, or co-using strategies.

mediation in action: how grandparents manage screen time

grandparents employ various strategies to manage their grandchildren’s media consumption. sada garibay explains these approaches:

• supervision: supervision involves keeping an eye on what your grandchild is doing, and the media they watch.
• instruction: being instructive means explaining the content of something to your grandchild.
• restriction: restrictive actions involve limiting the amount of time a child can use technology-or what content they are allowed to view.
• co-using: co-using means watching media alongside your grandchild.

monitoring was the most common strategy, followed by restricting media time and engaging in discussions. co-viewing was the least frequent.

tech skills: a game-changer

the study revealed a significant link between a grandparent’s tech skills and their approach to media management. grandparents with better tech skills were more likely to:

• supervise their grandchildren’s media use more effectively.
• engage in discussions about media content and safety.
• use media alongside younger grandchildren.

conversely,grandparents less familiar with technology ofen resorted to restricting what their grandchild could watch.

navigating the generational divide

disagreements about media use between grandparents and parents are common.the study found that grandparents with negative beliefs about media were more likely to clash with their adult children. positive attitudes toward media, though, correlated with higher relationship satisfaction.

it is significant to foster open communication and mutual understanding between generations to bridge this divide. lisa ehrlich-menard, m.ed., manager of community education, jcfs response for teens, suggests that despite generational and technological gaps, grandparents and grandkids can connect remotely [1].

gender dynamics: grandfathers vs. grandmothers

the study also highlighted gender differences in media supervision. grandfathers were generally less likely to supervise their grandchildren than grandmothers. however, increased technological know-how led to increased supervision for all grandparents, regardless of gender.

the bottom line: understanding and adaptation

consuming media is a significant part of children’s lives, and grandparents play a crucial role in shaping their habits. i think our most significant result was that a grandparent’s level of confidence with technology was a significant predictor of the kinds of mediation strategies they use, says sada garibay.

by understanding these dynamics and adapting their strategies, grandparents can positively influence their grandchildren’s media consumption and strengthen family relationships.

frequently asked questions

how much time do children spend on screens with grandparents?

nearly half the time they spend together involves interacting with or watching media on a screen.

what is the most common mediation strategy used by grandparents?

monitoring what their grandchildren watch is the most common.

how does technology affect grandparents’ mediation?

grandparents with higher tech skills supervise and interact more with their grandchildren’s media.

what causes disagreements about media use?

negative beliefs about media among grandparents often lead to disagreements with parents.