Effects of Parent-Child Attachment, Parental Involvement in Child-Rearing and Instruction for Children’s Effective Use of Smart Devices on Young Children’s Smart-Device Overuse Behavior

Abstract

This study examined how parent-child attachment, parental involvement in child rearing and instruction for children`s effective use of a smart device reflect on young children`s smart device overuse behavior. We collected questionnaires from 196 parents with children attending early childhood education institutions for the survey. Frequency analysis as well as Person correlation coefficient and regression analysis were conducted using IBM SPSS 21.0 statistics. The results showed that 91% of targeted young children were using a smart device and 78% first used them before age 5. As for time of use hours, 43.9% used their smart device from 30 minutes to 1 hour on average. In addition, parent-child attachment and father`s involvement in child rearing were found to be inversely correlated to young children`s smart device overuse. The result of hierarchical regression analysis on parent factors influencing young children`s smart device overuse behavior indicated that mothers` contact-seeking behavior to young children, mother`s involvement in learning and instruction for children`s effective use of a smart device at home had beneficial effects. This study analyzed parent factors that influenced young children`s smart device overindulgence. In addition, the baseline data of this study will be utilized to develop programs for the prevention and therapy to solve the smart device overindulgence as well as to establish young children`s guidelines for using a smart device.