title: "If there wasn't the technology then I would probably be out everyday": a qualitative study of children's strategies to reduce their screen viewing.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To explore the views of British 10-11 year old children towards reducing their screen-viewing and their screen-viewing reduction strategies.
  
  
  METHODS
  10 focus groups were conducted with 55 10-11 year old children (30 girls, 25 boys) in Bristol (UK) in 2010. Data were transcribed and transcripts were analysed using thematic analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Three main themes were developed: Reaction to Reduction; Reduction: What, when and what else instead?; and Strategies to reduce screen-viewing. Participants reacted largely positively to reducing their screen-viewing although enjoyment, established routines and favourite TV programmes presented barriers. A range of screen-viewing modes were put forward as candidates for reduction and participants believed they would replace screen-viewing with both physically active and non-screen sedentary behaviours. Reduction strategies identified comprised the provision of alternative activities, facilities and after school clubs, peer-led educational interventions, behavioural strategies such as the use of rewards, charts and time limits which involved children's parents and parent-child collaboration. Unexpectedly, participants identified the focus group itself as a means of encouraging self-reflection and initiating change.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Children appeared open to screen-viewing reduction and identified the strategies that they may respond to best. This can inform the development of interventions designed to reduce screen-viewing.
authors: School for Policy Studies, University of Bristol, UK. simon.sebire@bristol.ac.uk
authors: Simon J
authors: SJ
authors: Sebire
authors: Russell
authors: R
authors: Jago
authors: Trish
authors: T
authors: Gorely
authors: Itziar
authors: I
authors: Hoyos Cillero
authors: Stuart J H
authors: SJ
authors: Biddle
mesh_terms: D001292:Attitude to Computers; D002648:Child; D002652:Child Behavior / Q000502:physiology*; D003201:Computers; D004739:England; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D006293:Health Promotion; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012574:Schools; D057185:Sedentary Behavior; D013690:Television; D013997:Time Factors; D018910:Video Games