The effect of parent-child relationship on internet usage among preschool children

The research was conducted in a descriptive-cross-sectional type in order to reveal the effect of the relations of the children attending preschool institutions with the parents on internet usage. The universe of the study was composed of a total of 183 children who were registered to Central Preschool, that was affiliated with National Directorate of Education in Zonguldak City Center, between 27.01.2018-01.06.2018. It was aimed to reach whole universe without using any sampling methods; and 142 children were reached. Data of the study were collected by Personal Information Form, Internet Addiction Scale, Family-Child Internet Addiction Scale and Children-Parent Relationship Scale. Children of the parents included in this study were aged between 4-6 years old; and mean age was 5.08 years. Statistically significant differences were found between Children-Parent Relationship Scale-conflict scores based on the sexes and income levels of the parents (p<0.01). Besides, statistically significant correlations were found between Family-Child Internet Addiction Scale subscales and the variables such as number of children and mean duration of internet use; and also between ages of the parents and Family-Child Internet Addiction Scale -deprivation subscale (p<0.01). There were significant correlations between conflict and positive relationship subscales of Children-Parent Relationship Scale and some subscales of Internet Addiction Scale and Family-Child Internet Addiction Scale (p<0.01). In addition, significant correlations were found between all subscales of Internet Addiction Scale and all Family-Child Internet Addiction Scale subscales (p<0.01).