In the archive Audience trends Children’s nominated favourite discretionary activities, 2007 When alone, watching free-to-air television and reading, drawing and writing letters were both nominated by around 30 per cent of children aged 8–17 as their favourite discretionary activities. When children are with others, there is a preference for non-media activities, with physical activity preferred by 49 per cent of respondents surveyed. Alone With others General (non-media) activities Reading, drawing, writing letters 29% 5% Physical activity 23% 49% General play 18% 36% Hanging out, veging out 14% 31% Going out 5% 38% Media activities Watching free-to-air television 30% 19% Recorded music (CD/MP3 etc) 25% 6% Computer/console gaming (excluding online) 24% 14% Online messaging/chatting 17% 8% Watching DVDs 13% 22% Watching subscription television 13% 9% Social websites, blogs etc 9% 2% Computer/console gaming (including online) 8% 4% Mobile phone messaging (text/image/video) 7% 3% Watching/listening to music/video content online 6% 3% Source: Compiled by Screen Australia using data published by the Australian Media and Communications Authority (ACMA) in Media and Communications in Australian Families, 2007. Notes: Based on a sample of 751 households with children aged 8-17. In total 1,003 children were surveyed.