Parent Scaffolding of Young Children When Engaged with Mobile Technology

Eileen Wood,Mary Ann Evans,Marjan Petkovski,Domenica De Pasquale,Robert S Savage,Alexandra Gottardo

doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2016.00690

Eileen Wood, Mary Ann Evans + Show 4 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2016.00690

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Abstract

Shared parent–child experiences while engaged with an iPadTM were examined to determine if and then how parents interact with their children when using mobile digital devices. In total, 104 parent–child dyads participated in an observation session where parent–child interactions using the touchscreen tablet device were video recorded in order to observe first-hand the supports and exchanges between parent and child (age range 46.21–75.9 months). Results indicate that parents provide a great deal of support to their children while interacting with the touchscreen tablet device including verbal, emotional-verbal, physical and emotional-physical supports. The types of support offered did not differ as a function of parent gender or experience with mobile devices (users versus non-users). Overall, parents rated their own experience engaging with the touchscreen tablet and that of their child’s positively. Additional survey measures assessed parents’ perceptions of their child’s technology use and attitudes regarding optimal ages and conditions for introducing and using technology. Most parents indicated a preference for very early introduction to mobile technologies. Implications of these findings are discussed.

Highlights

In our increasingly technologically advanced world, children are gaining exposure to computerbased technologies earlier and with greater frequency than in previous generations
The present study investigated parental scaffolding when interacting with their children and mobile devices, iPadsTM, in an informal setting
76% self-identified as being familiar with the touchscreen tablet device they were asked to use in the observation session (n = 28 males, n = 51 females) and 24% were new to the mobile device (n = 4 males, n = 21 females)

Summary

Introduction

In our increasingly technologically advanced world, children are gaining exposure to computerbased technologies earlier and with greater frequency than in previous generations. Concomitant with the ubiquitous presence of computers, is the development of increasingly smaller and yet more sophisticated mobile technologies such as touchscreen tablets and smartphones. These devices permit children access to portable, flexible, and intuitive digital media (e.g., Rideout, 2013). Given the presence and early introduction of mobile technologies such as touchscreen tablets in the everyday lives of children, it is important to examine and understand how children’s earliest interactions with these mobile computer technologies unfold. The present study investigated parental scaffolding when interacting with their children and mobile devices, iPadsTM, in an informal setting

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