Examining the relationship between parents' opinions on preschool children's technology use and digital parenting self-efficacy

This research aims to examine the relationship between parents' views on their preschool children's use of technology and their digital parenting self-efficacy. Relational scanning model was used in the research. The study group of the research consists of 250 parents of children aged 3-6 years old who attend preschool education institutions in Burdur city center in the spring semester of the 2022-2023 academic year. Of the 250 participants in the study group, 186 were female and 64 were male. Research data were collected with the "Demographic Information Form", "Parental Opinions Scale on Preschool Children's Use of Technology" and "Digital Parenting Self-Efficacy Scale". In the study, it was seen that the data showed a normal distribution and parametric statistical methods were used. Pearson correlation analysis, independent groups t-test and moderator variable analysis were used to examine the relationship between parents' views on their children's technology use and their digital parenting self-efficacy. According to the research findings, it was determined that the proportion of parents who believe that their children's frequent use of technological devices negatively affects their children's socialization, self-expression and physical health is quite high. Additionally, research findings have shown that parents have high levels of digital parenting self-efficacy. While it was observed that parents' self-efficacy levels, especially regarding digital security and digital literacy, were significantly high, their digital communication self-efficacy was found to be at a medium level. As a result of the research, it was seen that there was a weakly positive and significant relationship between parents' digital parenting self-efficacy and their views on their children's technology use.