Sumudu Mallawaarachchi

Sumudu Mallawaarachchi is a Research Fellow at the ARC Centre of Excellence for the Digital Child at the University of Wollongong. With a PhD in Psychology from Deakin University and a BSc (Hons) in Psychology from the University of Melbourne, her research examines how digital environments influence child development, focusing on self-regulation and psychosocial outcomes.

• Affiliation: University of Wollongong, ARC Centre of Excellence for the Digital Child
• Academic Background: PhD in Psychology (Deakin University), BSc (Hons) in Psychology (University of Melbourne)

Research Interests include:

• Digital technology’s impact on early childhood development
• Persuasive design in children’s apps
• Contextual factors in screen use (co-viewing, content quality)
• Self-regulation and digital disengagement

Recent Articles highlight:

• 2024: Analysis of persuasive design features in kids’ apps
• 2024: Recommendations for healthy screen habits based on 100+ studies
• 2022: Identification of reward systems and emotional prompts in early childhood apps

Scientific Awards include:

• Emerging Scholar Award 2024
• Centre HDR Research Impact Award 2023
• Deakin School of Psychology Best HDR Publication 2022
• Deakin University 3MT Winner 2022
• Centre 3MT Winner 2023