Award-winning Adelaide researcher Dr Mary Brushe is empowering parents to manage screen time and nurture their child’s development – one small step at a time.
Did you know that toddlers are missing out on hearing up to 1,000 words a day because of screens? That mind-boggling statistic is one of the insights Dr Mary Brushe’s groundbreaking research has brought to light.
Dr Brushe, an Adelaide-based public health researcher, advocate and winner of the prestigious 2024 SASEIA PhD Research Excellence Award, is changing the way we think about screen time and early childhood development.
But Dr Brushe is adamant her results shouldn’t be used to point fingers or make parents feel guilty. Instead, she sees her research as the basis for developing practical, society-wide solutions to help families navigate screen time in a way that works for them.
“I would really love it if eventually, we can create an open, honest dialogue where parents feel supported in making decisions that work for them,” she says.
Empowerment – not judgment – is at the core of her work.
The early years matter most
The first three years of a child’s life are when up to 85 per cent of brain growth occurs.
“There’s no more crucial period, really, than those first few years of life to set children up for success,” Dr Brushe says. “What happens in those early years can impact their later learning, development, and even chronic health conditions.”
“When we talk, sing, read, or play with children in their early years, we’re not just entertaining them – we’re literally shaping their brains,” says Dr Brushe.
“Those interactions create neural connections that are the foundation for all future learning and development.”
How tech impacts talk
Dr Brushe’s PhD research at the University of Adelaide and the Kids Research Institute Australia focused on one big question: How does screen time affect young children’s language development?
Using Fitbit-like devices equipped with speech recognition technology, her team tracked over 7,000 hours of audio to understand how screen time impacts parent-child interactions in the home.
Here’s what they discovered:
- Reduction in adult words: For every minute of screen time, children heard seven fewer words from adults.
- Fewer child vocalisations: Children made five fewer vocal sounds during these moments.
- Decreased back-and-forth conversations: Screen time significantly reduced the number of interactive exchanges, which are crucial for language development.
These findings highlight a phenomenon called “technoference,” where screen use interrupts the rich interactions young children need to thrive.
Building a judgment-free zone for parents
Dr Brushe is committed to breaking down the stigma around screen time.
“We’re not here to guilt parents but to offer practical ways to balance screen time with meaningful interactions,” she says.
“For some families, it’s completely feasible for them to not have any screen time in the first few years of life, and that works for them. And to those families, I think that’s fantastic.”
But she says that’s just not an option for a lot of families: “So often we heard from parents that, ‘if I don’t put the screen on for 15 minutes, I’m not going to be able to have a shower that day’. And so to turn around to those parents and say, ‘Well, too bad,’ just feels extremely unfair.”
Her advice? “It’s not about being perfect; it’s about finding what works for your family.”
Dr Brushe’s’s top tips for parents
- Kill the background noise: If no one’s watching the TV, turn it off. Background noise distracts young children from focusing on play or interactions.
- Choose quality content: Opt for educational, age-appropriate shows. ABC Kids, for example, offers great options.
- Make screens interactive: Sing along to theme songs or recreate scenes from shows during playtime. It’s about turning passive screen time into active engagement.
- Screen-free zones: Mealtimes and bedtimes are perfect opportunities to switch off and connect.
- Start small: If cutting back on screen time feels overwhelming, start with achievable goals, like reducing screen use by 15 minutes a day.
From psychology to public health
Dr Brushe’s career journey started with a psychology degree, and a plan to help people by becoming a clinical psychologist. But a research role at the Kids Research Institute Australia opened her eyes to public health — a field that’s less about one-on-one treatment and more about helping entire populations thrive.
“Public health really resonated with me,” she says. “It’s about translating research into policies and practices that make a difference on a larger scale. That was a game-changer for me.”
This broader perspective led her to focus on early childhood health, driven by her passion for prevention and early intervention. She’s now an Adjunct Fellow in the University of Adelaide’s School of Public Health and a Senior Research Officer at The Kids Research Institute Australia.
Government support: A key to success
Dr Brushe’s work has shaped state and national policy, contributing to the National Early Language and Literacy Strategy and South Australia’s Royal Commission into Early Childhood Education and Care.
The South Australian Government’s Words Grow Minds campaign – a result of its Royal Commission – is a cornerstone of its broader commitment to preventive health and early childhood development. Backed by $4 million in funding, the initiative encourages parents to talk, read, sing, and play with their children – from birth.
“It’s been amazing to see how my research has informed real-world initiatives,” says Dr Brushe.
“The campaign makes neuroscience accessible and engaging. It’s not about scaring parents but equipping them with tools to make small but powerful changes.”
Supporting parents, shaping futures
The Words Grow Minds campaign’s free resources include baby book packs, webinars, and tips for integrating language-building activities into everyday life.
It’s part of a larger effort by the state government to embed prevention into health policy, from universal preschool initiatives to the establishment of a dedicated Preventive Health SA agency.
Global impact and local change
Dr Brushe’s PhD research hasn’t just impacted South Australian families – it’s gone global.
Over 800 publications worldwide covered her findings, bringing much-needed attention to the issue of screen time and early childhood development.
“It was incredible to see how much attention the research received,” she says. “It really reinforced for me how timely and important this topic is, and how much parents and policymakers are looking for guidance.”
Winning the 2024 PhD Research Excellence Award at the SA Science Excellence and Innovation Awards added to this recognition, providing her with a platform to advocate for practical solutions.
“Hearing my name called out on the night was such a shock,” she says.
“Being recognised by the SA science community was such an honour. It’s validating to know the effort I put into making this research practical and impactful didn’t go unnoticed. The award represents the importance of listening to communities and translating research into meaningful outcomes.”
Applications are now open for the 2025 SA Science Excellence and Innovation Awards, including a new category recognising a Mid-Career STEMM Professional of the Year. For more information on how to apply, click here.
