The effect of parents' internet addiction levels on digital game addiction tendency of preschool children

The study was conducted to determine the level of internet addiction in parents' lives and to determine the relationship between this situation and children's tendency to be addicted to digital games. The study was descriptive, cross-sectional and correlational. The sample of the study consisted of 146 children aged 4-6 years and their parents between 01.12.2023-01.05.2024. The research data were collected using the Personal Information Form, Young Internet Addiction Scale and Digital Game Addiction Tendency Scale for Preschool Children. It was determined that 95.2% of the children used the internet and 76.0% of them used the internet for gaming purposes. In the study, it was determined that boys' digital game addiction was significantly higher (p<0.05). It was determined that parents' playing digital games with their children created significant differences in the general score of the Digital Game Addiction Tendency Scale for Preschool Children and the sub-dimensions of conflict, continuous playing and reflection on life. It was observed that the Young Internet Addiction Scale values of those who played digital games with their children were significantly higher. It was determined that children who used the Internet for gaming purposes had significantly higher scores in all sub-dimensions of the Preschool Children's Digital Gaming Addiction Tendency Scale (p<0.001). When the children who played digital games were analyzed, it was observed that the addiction scores of those who played games were significantly higher in general and in all sub-dimensions (p<0.001). Parents' playing digital games with their children affects children's tendency towards digital game addiction. Parents who play digital games with their children were also found to have high rates of internet addiction.