Digital Smarts - Study Focuses On Socioeconomic Links To Kids' Screen Time

Children in lower-income families spend more time watching TV and using electronic devices than kids in more affluent homes, according to a report released recently from Common Sense Media. The nonprofit group followed the viewing habits of more than 1,400 children nationwide. Ages 8 and under found that less-affluent youngsters spend nearly three-and-a-half hours daily watching TV and using varied devices including smartphones, tablets, laptops and video game players. By comparison, kids in higher-income homes spend just under two hours on such activities. The offspring of better-educated parents also spend less time with media (1 hour, 37 minutes) compared with children of those with less education (2 hours, 50 minutes).