QUSTODIO ANNUAL DATA REPORT 2020
Communication apps
This page is chapter 5 in a five-chapter series of app categories included in the Qustodio Annual Data Report on children’s digital habits during the year 2020.
RESEARCH BY APP CATEGORY
Communication
What we found
Discord, originally a community chat app for gamers, also expanded its reach and went mainstream, taking off during the pandemic and growing over 90% in popularity for the year. In fact, all six of the top communication apps showed at least some growth in popularity. The pandemic lockdowns and other restrictions also boosted how long kids spent on communication apps. Time spent on apps in the communication category grew to an average of 91 mins/day, a 49% increase over 2019.
What were the most popular communcation apps among kids?
How much time did kids spend on communication apps?
Kids in every region spent the most time connected in May at the height of the pandemic lockdowns in the spring, with the peak extending to June in the UK. Unique to the communication app category, kids’ use of these apps rose again in October, most sharply in the US.
What time of day did kids use communication apps?
What time of day did kids use communication apps?
Which communication apps did parents block most?
What we expect
We also expect for kids to continue to connect throughout the day as communication apps continue to be used for any distance or hybrid learning, and because messaging or “Whatsapping” has become integrated into children’s lives, no matter where they are during the day
What we recommend
In regards to mobile detoxes, they are largely symbolic, which is fine as they increase needed awareness around excess screen time. But to make disconnecting a habit, it needs to become part of a regular routine. To achieve this, downtimes, or down days like ‘Screenless Sundays’ work better. The most important downtimes are during mealtimes and 1 hour before bed. Disconnecting at meal times encourages real conversations between family members and cuts back on distrac- tions. Disconnecting an hour before bedtime, protects kids from stimulating blue light on screens. We also recommend keeping digital devices out of the bedroom entirely to avoid
kids having the temptation, and the ‘FOMO’, to check if there is a response to their latest message or post.
Marc Masip, psychologist and expert in addiction, is passionate about keeping mobile devices out of schools and tells parents, “As you kids go back to school, please don’t send them with a smartphone. If you need a way to stay in touch with them via a call or SMS on a ‘dumb phone’. Kids are already on their devices all day long. School, even in-person school, is now increasingly online too. Removing the temptation to connect to the internet during school sounds harsh to some parents, but it is really a gift. Kids (and teachers) need a break. And, studies on schools that prohibit mobile phones in school consistently show: higher rates of concen- tration, lower rates of cyberbullying, and more chances for real social interaction and physical activity. To give your child these benefits, delay giving them a smartphone as long as possible.”
Parents should ensure that for every hour their kids spend online they get one hour outdoors.”