Before Loz Booth became a parent, she opposed the idea of children using screens. But until today, this Sydney home-based mother and content creator wouldn’t dine at a restaurant without a tablet for her 7-year-old and 10-year-old sons.
“Most parents are tired and stressed. Going out to dinner might seem like a good idea, but without a screen, it could be a big play,” she said.
Loz Booth with her son.Credit: Louise Kennerley
Today’s modern parenting requires much more involvement, caution, and much less support than previous generations. Is it any wonder that despite all the constant guilt and shame parents feel regarding the use of screens and tablets, modern parents continue to rely on them?
Suresh Manickam, CEO of Restaurant and Catering Australia, is optimistic about the tablet-powered dining experience. Manickam recalls restaurants in the past offering crayons and activity sheets for kids (some still do, of course).
“If it helps the younger members hold their attention for a while, so that the parents can continue to enjoy their meal, that’s fine. It makes for an enjoyable time with the whole family,” he said.
Earlier this year, ABS released data shows that Australian children are spending more time each week on screens. Michelle Ducat, head of education statistics at ABS, said, “There has been an increase in the proportion of children [aged five to 14] screen use more than 20 hours a week, from 16% to 24%”.
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In addition to children’s increasing screen use, Australians are also eating more meals away from home than previous generations, according to the report. census data Compare household spending. Since the invention of the iPad in 2010, tablets have become ubiquitous on family tables in restaurants for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. According to a 2020 survey on information privacy in Australia, 18 per cent of children aged two to five have their own tablet. This statistic jumps to 46% among 6 to 9 year olds, 63% for 10 to 13 year olds and 76% of 14 to 17 year olds.
Dr Lyn Craig, Professor of Sociology from the University of Melbourne, says that although it is becoming more common for children to eat out at restaurants, it is not without risks.
