A child brain expert is worried New Zealand children's high internet use will contribute to mental health issues and anxiety.
A report released by the OECD's Programme for International Student Assessment found New Zealand teens are among the highest internet users of their age group in the world.
Kiwi teens spend 42 hours a week on the internet, which is more than most of their peers around the world. New Zealand is tied with Chile for 42 hours a week, Sweden at 46, and Denmark takes out the top spot at 47 hours.
It's an outcome that has child brain expert Nathan Wallis worried.
"There's a correlation between how much screen time you have and mental illness like anxiety," he says.
The report found most teens are using the internet at home, but many are online at school too. But unlike most countries, New Zealand's use of digital devices at school was linked to better reading performance.
English teacher at Wellington's Onslow College Tessa Hope finds devices helpful for students who wouldn't normally read books and other written material.
"Some students love Wikipedia, for example, and they love reading everything there is to know about what they're interested in," she says.
But while learning online at school has obvious benefits, Wallis has tips for parents trying to find a bit more balance at home.
"Instigate that two hours [of] device-free time and do it as the parent as well," he says.
That could be a challenge for Kiwi teens, like 15-year-old Austin Sluis, who can't get enough of their screens. Laptop use is a pastime his mum Lana is used to.
"To be honest, we hardly see him, he's in his bedroom unless he's working or out with his friends," she says.
Austin admits his mum has a point.
"I feel like she's correct. I don't know, I just enjoy it," he says.
