Abstract
This study aimed to explore the digital environments of 3–6-year-old children within the home setting. A total of 537 children aged 3–6 years and their parents participated in the study. The results of the study revealed that the children live in digitally rich home environments. Parents usually limited the screen time of the children, or accompanied them during the use of digital technologies. The total screen time of the children was more than 3 h, whilst the parents’ total screen time was around four and a half hours. The results also indicate the influence of family income and parents’ screen time on children’s screen time. Parents and home settings play a key role in their children’s interaction with digital technologies. Therefore, the familial context should be taken into consideration for supporting young children’s learning and development through digital technologies.
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The author would like to thank the parents who participated in this study as well as the editor and anonymous peer reviewers for their valuable suggestions for improving this paper.
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Written ethical approval to conduct the study was received from the Kirsehir Provincial Directorate of Education (20734972–05/12/2018). All procedures in undertaking this study were performed in accordance with the ethical standards of the directorate.
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A written consent form was sent to 600 parents through their children’s kindergarten teachers along with a blank Data Collection Form. However, data were only accepted for analysis when accompanied by the signed written consent form.
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Konca, A.S. Digital Technology Usage of Young Children: Screen Time and Families. Early Childhood Educ J 50, 1097–1108 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10643-021-01245-7
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10643-021-01245-7