A Study on the Relationship between the Media Device Use and Executive Function Difficulties in Third Grade: Focus on the Moderating Effect of Child’s Communication Ability

Abstract

This study identifies correlations between the use of media devices, communication ability, and executive function difficulties for third grade students, as well as investigates the moderating effect of a child’s communication ability. Data from the 10th (2017) Panel Study on Korean Children [PSKC] was employed (N=557). Descriptive statistics, Pearson’s correlation and hierarchical regression were used along with SPSS 25.0(IBM Co., Armonk, NY, USA). The results were as follows. First, the executive function difficulties in the third-grade showed a significant positive correlation with media device use. While also, showing a negative correlation with a child’s communication ability. Media devices use and communication ability has a significant negative correlation. Second, a child’s communication ability has a moderating effect in relation to the use of media devices and executive function difficulties. The difficulty of executive function showed a reciprocal increase to a child’s use of media devices and indicated a discriminatory effect of a child’s communication ability. In conclusion, this study shows that communication ability is important as a personal factor for children who control the negative effects of media devices. Therefore, it is necessary to provide and support an environment for the development of a child’s communication ability.