Research Centre: Australian Catholic University
Location: Visit ACU Campus (locations in North Sydney, NSW; Strathfield, NSW; Blacktown, NSW) or your home
Lead Researcher: Professor Chris Lonsdale
HREC: This study has been reviewed and approved by the Australian Catholic University Human Research Ethics Committee (#2020-142H).

The way children spend their time and how they engage with the world around them has a big impact on their health and development. Children have many more technological options for learning and recreation than other generations. 

Parents are often told about how much their children should be eating, sleeping, reading, learning, sitting, running, and playing. However, it may seem unclear as to how much these things matter, which are most important, or which one a parent should focus on most.

In the past, research into children’s time use has focused on getting data from parents, but it’s difficult for parents to recall detailed information about their children’s behaviours. This research study will use wearable cameras to understand how children interact with the world. By collecting better data, researchers can get a better understanding of children’s learning and development.

• The parent/child will receive a small financial compensation for their time. It will be delivered digitally to the parent/guardian.
• The parent/legal guardian will have the opportunity to learn more about how children spend their time.
• The child participant will be contributing valuable information that may advance medical research.

• If you decide to let your child participate in the study and later feel that you no longer wish your child to be part of it, you can withdraw at any time for any reason.
• Any information that you provide will be kept strictly confidential, except as required by law.

• Children aged 7-10 years old 
  • Parental or legal guardian consent must be given in order for your child to participate in this study
• Must be living within Greater Sydney, New South Wales Central Coast or Wollongong
• Must be able to attend 2 study visits at the research site or have a researcher visit your home twice per year.

The study team will explain the research in its entirety but some details are:

• The study visits can be done at the research site or the research team could visit the participant at their home. During the latter, the researchers will meet the parent/legal guardian along with the child participant
  • The study visit can be done in the research centre or in the comfort of the participant’s home.
• During this meeting the research team will provide the parent/legal guardian with all the necessary information and materials needed to participate in the study. 
• Questionnaires will need to be answered by the child’s parent/legal guardian. The questionnaires will take about 15-20 minutes to complete. These questionnaires can be done online.
• The child participant will be asked to wear a camera on four of the days and a wrist-worn activity monitor for eight days.
• The research team will text message the parent/legal guardian each morning to remind them about what the child needs to do each day.

Australian Catholic University

The Australian Catholic University is solving real-world issues with world-leading research in the fields of education, health, theology and philosophy. Through their network of global partners and expert researchers, they strive to make a positive impact on the industry, community and the lives of individuals.

Please note:

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, regardless if the study visit will be in the research center or done at home, the researchers would like to assure the participants that ensuring their and the study staff’s safety is of utmost importance.