The relationship between screen use and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder symptoms in children: The role of digital parenting

The aim of this study is to examine the relationship between screen use and symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children, and to observe the role of digital parenting within this relationship. The study sample consisted of 186 parents of children aged between 6 and 12 years. Data were collected from the participant parents through an online form using the Demographic Information Form prepared by the researcher, Problematic Media Use Scale developed for parents with children in the relevant age group, Revised Conners Parent Rating Scale and the Media Parenting Scale for Parents of School-Age Children. The data were analyzed using SPSS. Descriptive statistics were presented in terms of frequencies and percentages. The data were analyzed through t-tests, ANOVA, correlation analysis, and regression analysis. According to the findings, as parents' digital parenting behaviors such as restricting children's screen time, protecting them from harmful content, and providing conscious guidance to screen use increased, children's problematic media use behaviors and total screen time decreased. On the other hand, a significant relationship and positive correlation was also recorded between problematic screen use behaviors in children and symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. As a result, it is seen that as problematic screen use behaviors increase in children, some ADHD symptoms also increase significantly. Digital parenting behaviors were found to have a significant predictive effect on both problematic media use and ADHD symptoms. The information obtained as a result of the research is discussed in detail, taking into account the prominent studies in the literature. Keywords: Screen Use, Digital Parenting, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Problematic Media Use, Childhood