Research Fellow @digitalchildau @uow| PhD @deakinresearch| Screen media📱, child development and youth mental health| Certified over-thinker| 🇱🇰
Melbourne, Australia
Joined January 2021
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We need to talk more about the design of kids’ apps, and that’s exactly what @Sharon_Horwood and I did on @ConversationEDU today. Here are the 3 main types of persuasive features we came across in our recent study of early childhood apps and relevant tips
theconversation.com/3-ways-a…
Sumudu Mallawaarachchi retweeted
I can think of a few, like cutting off critical support and information resources and limiting opportunities for social connection and identity exploration - especially for vulnerable youth.
Still waiting to for any plans that might educate and empower youth and families online.
Sumudu Mallawaarachchi retweeted
The conversation on a social media ban continued last week.
The Australian government has committed to a ban with an added option of exemptions for platforms that demonstrate ‘low risk of harm to children’. Find out more here:
digitalchild.org.au/an-updat…
Sumudu Mallawaarachchi retweeted
The results of this systematic review and meta-analysis suggest the importance of screen use contexts (type, content, co-use, background or caregiver use) for child cognitive and psychosocial outcomes, beyond total or overall screen time. @digitalchildau
ja.ma/3ZVKPgZ
Sumudu Mallawaarachchi retweeted
Reflections from Dr Karley Beckman and Dr Tiffani Apps after day one of the #SocialMediaSummitNSWSA and discussions on a social media ban for young people and children
digitalchild.org.au/young-pe…
@karleybeckman @tiffani_apps @UOW #socialmediaban #children #digitalchildren
Sumudu Mallawaarachchi retweeted
We're hearing a lot about a social media ban for children and teens. But is exclusion really the answer?
Here are some resources to help you navigate the conversation from our experts
digitalchild.org.au/resource…
#SocialMediaSummitNSWSA #socialmediaban #children #digitalchildren
Sumudu Mallawaarachchi retweeted
🚸Persuasive design continues to sap the attention and control the decision-making of children!
🎨Chris Zomer & @SumuduM3's important article calls for #SafetybyDesign, and references our game-changing and newly redesigned 'Disrupted Childhood' report:
5rightsfoundation.com/resour…
How games and apps keep you and your kids addicted – and what we can do about it | Chris Zomer and Sumudu Mallawaarachchi for the Conversation theguardian.com/commentisfre…
Sumudu Mallawaarachchi retweeted
When it comes to screen time, parents and carers must navigate an emotionally charged landscape of conflicting advice and information.
Join our expert panel - Dr Billy Garvey, Derek McCormack and Fiona Holder - in Melbourne (or online!) on Oct 22
digitalchild.org.au/events/d…
Sumudu Mallawaarachchi retweeted
Ever found yourself unable to resist checking out a phone notification?
If so, you’re far from alone. Here's some common design tricks that are used to keep you engaged...
New from Chris Zomer and @SumuduM3
digitalchild.org.au/the-desi…
ALT a family, everyone is looking at their individual phones and not talking to one another.
📢📱Our latest article on persuasive design common on children's apps, social media, games and platforms
From streaks to loot boxes, apps for kids are full of 'persuasive design' intended to keep users watching, playing and paying – whether it's good for them or not. @uow theconversation.com/the-desi…
Sumudu Mallawaarachchi retweeted
New pub! This was an absurdly ambitious piece of work that nearly drowned me BUT it’s ended up saying some important things about research on digital tech use by families with very young children. 🧵tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.…
Sumudu Mallawaarachchi retweeted
Reflections from our #DigitalChild researchers today after a #socialmediaban was announced by @AlboMP
@tamaleaver says: "Age-based bans simply defer today’s challenges until tomorrow, solving nothing."
@CurtinMedia
ALT Age-based bans simply defer today’s challenges until tomorrow, solving nothing.
Sumudu Mallawaarachchi retweeted
Most viewed in the last 7 days from @JAMAPediatrics:
What are the associations of screen use contexts in early childhood with cognitive and psychosocial outcomes?
ja.ma/4e4xoPz
Sumudu Mallawaarachchi retweeted
For more information, access:
📱A quick breakdown of our researchers' advice on children's screen use digitalchild.org.au/four-way…
📰The journal article jamanetwork.com/journals/jam…
#screentime #screenuse #earlyyears
A paper has reviewed the evidence on how screen use in children under six can impact behaviour and cognitive outcomes. The researchers say while #screentime is important, it’s not the only factor.
@SumuduM3 @dylancliff_uow @UOWEarlyStart @normanswan
abc.net.au/listen/programs/h…
Sumudu Mallawaarachchi retweeted
A paper has reviewed the evidence on how screen use in children under six can impact behaviour and cognitive outcomes. The researchers say while #screentime is important, it’s not the only factor.
@SumuduM3 @dylancliff_uow @UOWEarlyStart @normanswan
abc.net.au/listen/programs/h…
Sumudu Mallawaarachchi retweeted
Many parents worry about screen use and their children. Research shows it helps if you watch with your kids and talk about the program @UOW theconversation.com/we-revie…
Sumudu Mallawaarachchi retweeted
Congratulations to our 2024 Centre Award recipients!
⏱️Amanda Cipriani - People's Choice award for their 3MT presentation
🌟@SumuduM3 and @kimmaslin - Emerging Scholar Awards
Sumudu Mallawaarachchi retweeted
The results of this systematic review and meta-analysis suggest the importance of screen use contexts (type, content, co-use, background or caregiver use) for child cognitive and psychosocial outcomes, beyond total or overall screen time. ja.ma/3WC2tmN @digitalchildau
Sumudu Mallawaarachchi retweeted
Four ways to help your child use screens well
📌A quick breakdown of our research-based advice on children's screen use: digitalchild.org.au/four-way…
📰Access the journal article: jamanetwork.com/journals/jam…
#earlyyears #screentime #digitaltech #digitalchild
ALT An infographic featuring line drawings of children in their families. Screen "time" is just one piece of the puzzle when considering healthy screen habits for young children. What else should we be mindful of? Here are 4 key tips, based on research.