Examining the relationship between parents' phubbing behaviour and preschool children's problematic technology use and digital game addiction tendencies

In this study, the relationship between Phubbing Behaviours of Parents and Problematic Technology Use and Digital Game Addiction Tendencies of Preschool Children was examined. Relational survey model was used in the study by using quantitative research methods. The population of the study consisted of children aged 36-72 months and their parents studying in official state kindergartens and nursery schools in the central districts of Erzurum province. The sample of the study consisted of 496 preschool children and their parents studying in Erzurum city centre in the 2024-2025 academic year. Criterion and appropriate sampling from purposive sampling methods were used. Demographic Information Form, Phubbing Scale (GSP), Problematic Technology Use Scale and Digital Game Addiction Tendency (DOBE) scales were preferred as data collection tools in the study. The data were analysed using SPSS (Statistical PackageforSocialSciences) 27.0 and AMOS 24.0 statistical programmes. Cronbach Alpha was used for descriptive data analysis and Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) was used for validity. Within the scope of parametric tests, ANOVA test was applied to determine the difference between the groups; in cases where there was a significant difference, Tukey test was used for comparisons. The relationship between the variables in the study was tested with Pearson correlation. As a result of the research, the scores of girls were found to be higher than boys in the variables of Problematic Technology Use for Children, continuity of use, resistance to control and impact on development. It was observed that the scores of girls were significantly higher in the variables of disconnection from life and reflection on life, which are sub-dimensions of Digital Game Addiction Tendency. In Problematic Technology Use for Children and some of its sub-dimensions, it was seen that children's technology use tended to become more problematic as the number of siblings increased. There was no significant relationship between parents' general phubbing and its sub-dimensions and the number of children. It was observed that the increase in the number of siblings caused a weak increase in the Digital Game Addiction Tendency, detachment from life and continuous playing dimensions. In the variables of Problematic Internet Use and Deprivation Escape for Children, Digital Gaming Addiction Tendency, conflict and continuous playing variables, the scores of children who previously received preschool education were significantly higher. In the study, a difference was observed in general phubbing levels according to the educational status of the parents; it was determined that the phubbing levels of high school graduate mothers were higher than the other groups. In parallel with this, it was found that these parents also had higher tendencies of problematic technology use and digital game addiction in their children. In the variables of General Phubbing, fear of being without a mobile phone, interpersonal conflict, self-isolation and acceptance of the problem, the scores of working mothers were found to be significantly higher. Likewise, a significant difference was found in the Digital Game Addiction Tendency, reflection on life variable, and it was seen that the scores of the children of working mothers were significantly higher. It was concluded that the scores of the children of working mothers and non-working fathers were significantly higher in the variables of Problematic Technology Use, continuity of use, resistance to control, impact on development and deprivation escape. In General Phubbing, Self-Isolation and Problem variables, it was found that the scores of working mothers and non-working fathers were significantly higher. In our research, it was found that parents with low income levels had higher General Phubbing scores, and their children's Problematic Technology Use and Digital Game Addiction Tendency scores increased significantly. As a result, it was concluded that as the general phubbing level of parents increases, children's problematic technology use and digital game addiction tendencies increase, and there is a positive relationship between children's problematic technology use and digital game addiction tendencies. Since children imitate adults as models, parents should not spend too much time with mobile phones, spend more time with their children and support them to do different activities (traditional games, sportive activities, artistic and cultural activities, etc.) to support their children's development. Parents should implement a consistent and determined guidance strategy in a way that supports each other. Parents should direct their children in this direction by buying educational toys that will support children's development instead of digital tools. Keywords: Preschool Period, Parental Phubbing, Problematic Technology Use and Digital Game Addiction Tendency