2026-06-01 13:02:11

Parents really do go easier on younger children.

Scientists found later-born children face fewer rules, spend more time on screens and are less likely to experience strict expectations compared to their older brothers and sisters.

The study, led by Monash University and published in the Journal of Economic Behavior and Organisation, examined the lives of around 5,000 children aged between two and 15.

Researchers analysed how youngsters spent their time, grouping activities into categories including school, physical exercise, enrichment activities and digital media.

Enrichment activities covered homework, reading, music lessons and board games, while digital media included television, video games, internet use and social media.

The results showed second and third-born children spent between nine and 14 extra minutes per day using screens compared to first-borns.

Experts believe parental leniency is the key reason.

The study said: “The increase in digital media time for later-born children is largely driven by those activities that children do alone.

“We show that one possible explanation for this is that parents are more lenient with later-born children.

“Parents are less likely to have rules around TV watching and video games for later-born children, and later-born children themselves are less likely to perceive that their parents expect them to follow rules.”

The findings echo a familiar storyline often seen in films and TV.

Researchers pointed to the Bridgerton family, where eldest son Anthony (Jonathan Bailey) shoulders heavy responsibilities while younger brother Benedict (Luke Thompson) enjoys far greater freedom to pursue his passions.

Time diaries completed by children and parents revealed that as later-born youngsters grow older, the rules appear to loosen even further.

Researchers said: “We find that parents become more lenient with rules for later-born children when they are older which corresponds with older later-born children spending more time with digital media.”

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