Identifying the predictors of four modes of using digital technologies at 8 years of age: limited, entertainment, creative and emergent

There is a growing call for research into how digital technology usage during childhood contributes to shaping contemporary digital divides. To our knowledge, the current study is the first to examine ways of maximising children’s chances of developing modes of use that involve greater engagement with more advanced and creative digital activities. Drawing on our prior research identifying four distinct modes of using digital technologies in 8-year-old New Zealand children (Creative, Entertainment, Emergent and Limited), we used hierarchical logistic regression in a large sample (N = 3325) to explore the predictors of these modes of use. Several modifiable screen parenting practices associated with modes of use were identified. Collectively, these results indicate that parents can facilitate more constructive digital technology use by fostering active engagement with screens from an early age, discouraging passive screen time and environmental TV exposure, providing access to laptops or computers, implementing software controls judiciously and adhering to social media age restrictions. Socioeconomic status influenced all four modes of use, highlighting the persistence of first-order digital divides. Together our findings offer insights into how parents can support their children to develop more effective digital skills, which may go some way towards mitigating the impact of digital divides.