Investigation of parents' approaches for digital technologies in raising preschool and primary school children

This research aims to reveal parents of children between the ages of 3-10 attending preschool and primary school as well as their views on the effects of digital technologies on the child's development and their awareness of the subject. In this context, the literature was examined and a descriptive study was conducted. In this context, the literature was examined and a descriptive study was conducted. A purposive sampling method was applied and the study group included parents who have children between the ages of 3-10 and are easily accessible, voluntary, and have digital technology tools. 346 mothers and fathers, 242 women and 104 men were included in the study, but the study group mostly consists of mothers who are between the ages of 30-39, most having a university degree, and having 2 children between the ages of 5-6 and 9-10. Digital Parenting Awareness Scale and Digital Parenting Approach Inventory were used for the topic as data collection tools. Parents' digital parenting awareness levels and their approaches were examined with frequency and percents, t-tests, analysis of variance and Tukey tests. According to the analysis, it is seen that parents have different approaches towards their children's use of digital technologies. While some believe that digital technology has a positive impact for educational purposes, others are cautious about children using technology for relaxation. According to parents' notions, while they think that technology has positive effects on their children's development in terms of foreign language skills, reading readiness and creativity, they disagree about its impact on sleep routine, self expression and relationships. Parents' approaches to digital technologies do not differ significantly according to demographic factors such as gender, age, and educational status. Digital neglect, which is the sub-dimension of Digital Parenting, varies depending on the number of children. Assuming that technology may be a hidden power in raising children, research findings are discussed according to the existing literature, and suggestions are made for families, school counselors and future studies.