Assessing preschoolers' technology use based on their parents' technology use habits

This research thoroughly examines the relationship between the technology usage habits of preschool children and the attitudes of their parents on this matter. The study is designed using a mixed-method approach, and interviews were conducted with parents of preschool children during the data collection process. In the quantitative aspect of the study, a socio-demographic information form, problematic media usage scale, and social media addiction-adult form were administered to 100 participants through convenience sampling. The qualitative part involves data obtained from semi-structured interviews with a purposively selected group of 15 parents. Thematic analysis was applied to analyse qualitative data, while quantitative data were analysed using the SPSS 22 statistical program. The findings of the research indicate a relationship between parents' social media addiction and their children's problematic media usage. As a result of the applied scales, it emerged that participants have social media addiction, and their children also exhibit problematic media usage. This situation was determined to be independent of the parents' gender, occupation, and economic status, originating from individuals' personal preferences. Additionally, an increase in the number of children in the family was found to reduce both parents' and children's social media addiction and internet usage. Parents emphasized the importance of determining the purpose behind restricting their children's internet usage, stating that it is a significant precaution. The research combines qualitative and quantitative data, indicating that technology usage habits are shaped based on the dynamics within the family. Keywords: Social media usage, technology usage in children, social media addiction in parents,