2 weeks Ago By Pranjal Malewar
A growing interpersonal dynamic that can influence media habits and family relationships is uncovered. Grandparents are increasingly acting as caregivers and managing their grandchildren’s media use. However, research on this topic, especially in the U.
S. and involving grandfathers, is limited. A recent study examined children’s screen time under the care of grandparents, the media strategies employed by grandparents, factors influencing these strategies, and how grandparents’ views on media impact disagreements with their adult children and their relationship satisfaction .
New research from the University of Arizona reveals that screens often play a significant role in the caregiving of grandchildren by their grandparents in the U.S. The study shows that nearly half of American children spend time under their grandparents’ supervision watching or engaging with media on screens.
Previous studies focused on grandparents in other countries, but this research highlights how screen time is managed in U.S. households.
Through this research, researchers discovered that media consumption is essential for grandchildren, and understanding media is equally crucial for grandparents. Grandparents may want to watch with their grandchildren or wish to understand what the children are watching. The study surveyed 350 American grandparents who regularly care for at least one grandchild aged between 2 and 10 years.
They were asked about their time with their grandchildren and their strategies for managing media consumption. Deaths in the family can affect the educational attainment of children Survey participants shared details about their living arrangements with their grandchildren: 35% never lived with them, 25% spent a few weeks per year with their grandchildren, 6% lived together for less than six months annually, 8% lived with them at least half the year, and 10% lived with them year-round. Grandparents reported on the most recent time they cared for their grandchildren, specifying the number of hours the child spent using media, including TV, movies, devices, video games, or apps.
They were also asked about their media management strategies, such as supervising, instructing, restricting, or co-using with their grandchildren. Supervision means monitoring your grandchild’s media activities. Being instructive involves explaining the content to them, while restrictive actions set limits on screen time or accessible content.
Co-using refers to watching or engaging with media alongside your grandchild. Along with examining children’s media consumption and grandparents’ mediation strategies, the research team asked participants to rate their digital skills on a four-point scale. Participants also shared their perspectives on what they believe are the positive and negative impacts of media consumption.
They described the severity of any media-related disagreements they have with their grandchild’s parents. When grandparents cared for their grandchildren, children spent nearly half of the average seven-hour visit using media, including two hours watching TV and one hour on video games or internet devices. Grandparents mostly monitored media use, followed by limiting screen time or discussing content with their grandchildren.
They rarely joined their grandchildren in viewing or playing. Younger or tech-savvy grandparents were more likely to engage in discussions about media safety, while those less familiar with technology often restricted content. Grandfathers generally supervised less than grandmothers, but tech knowledge improved supervision for all.
Grandparents with negative views on media were more likely to disagree with their adult children about media use, whereas positive views were associated with increased relationship satisfaction. The study emphasized that media use is a significant part of children’s routines and highlighted how grandparents’ confidence with technology strongly influenced their approach to managing media use. Developing tech skills could help grandparents better guide their grandchildren’s media habits.
Journal Reference: Cecilia Sada Garibay and Matthew Lapierre. Grandparents and children’s media use in the USA: Screen time, mediation practices, and relationship outcomes. Journal of Children and Media .
DOI: 10.1080/17482798.2025.
2480088.
