Abstract
Mothers play a key role in ensuring their children’s healthy life. This study aimed to identify the maternal factors affecting problematic smartphone use in children. We adopted a cross-sectional descriptive design using structured questionnaires. Participants were fourth to sixth grade elementary school students in Korea (n = 184). The following maternal factors were evaluated: maternal mediation, children’s perception of mothers’ smartphone use, mother–child communication, and parenting style. Data regarding maternal factors’ effect on problematic smartphone use were analyzed by computing descriptive statistics and logistic regression analysis using SPSS Win 27.0. The results show that the maternal factors that influenced problematic smartphone use in children were maternal control over smartphone usage (odds ratio (OR) = 5.10, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.33–19.60), smartphone usage time for social network service (OR = 1.52, 95% CI: 1.10–2.01), and problematic mother–child communication (OR = 1.07, 95% CI: 1.00–1.14). Therefore, to promote appropriate smartphone use among school children, it is necessary to develop an intervention comprising maternal supervision of their children’s smartphones, guidance provision for social network service usage, and strategies for the reinforcement of positive mother–child communication.
Highlights
Smartphones are indispensable devices within our modern society
The results show significant differences in perceived maternal control, smartphone usage duration, and smartphone usage duration by purpose
The normal group perceived that their parents occasionally or frequently control their smartphone usage (χ2 = 9.16, p = 0.010)
Summary
Smartphones are indispensable devices within our modern society. They have several advantages, such as allowing novel idea and knowledge acquisition, social contact and support provision opportunities, and increased health information acquisition opportunities [1]. Research from a psychological perspective suggests that children who overuse smartphones have poor mental health and may experience anxiety and depression [4,6]. Behavioral research demonstrates that children who overuse smartphones have fewer opportunities for social interaction than do normal children. This may result in a lack of social skills and emotional control. The survey results suggest that the rate of problematic smartphone use (PSU)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
