Examining the digital parenting awareness and attitudes of parents of children with autism spectrum disorder

The main aim of this research is to deeply examine the experiences of parents of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) regarding digital parenting and to gain detailed information about their awareness and attitudes on this subject. For this purpose, a descriptive phenomenological research design, which is a qualitative research method, was used. The participants in the study were selected from among the parents of children with ASD who are educated at the Eskişehir Anadolu University Disability Research Institute. Face-to-face interviews were conducted with 16 selected parents. The interviews were recorded, and these recordings were transcribed for analysis. Inductive analysis was used in the data analysis process. In this context, the six-step inductive analysis steps of Creswell (2013) were followed during the data analysis process. According to the research findings, digital parenting attitudes were divided into three main themes: "Emotion" "Thought" and "Behavior" In relation to digital parenting awareness, the main themes identified were "Digital tools and the internet," "Protection from risks in digital parenting," "Efficient use in digital parenting," "Modeling in digital parenting," "Digital neglect in digital parenting," and "The impact of autism in the awareness process." The findings of the study showed that parents of children with ASD have mixed feelings about the digital world and exhibit various approaches towards digital technologies. While parents are aware of the risks their children may encounter in digital environments, they do not feel adequately equipped to manage these risks. This study provides a valuable resource for understanding the relationships between parents of children with ASD and the digital world, and for determining the steps needed to support them in this area. Trainings and supports offered to parents will enable them to perform more conscious and effective parenting in digital environments, allowing their children to benefit from these environments in the best possible way.