Singapore parents’ use of digital devices with young children: motivations and uses

Chen, W., Teo, M. H. and Nguyen, D. (2019) Singapore parents’ use of digital devices with young children: motivations and uses. Asia-Pacific Education Researcher, 28(3), pp. 239-250. (doi: 10.1007/s40299-019-00432-w)

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Abstract

This current article is drawn from a qualitative study investigating the motivations and uses of digital devices of Singapore parents with their toddlers and preschoolers (age range: 1–5-year-old children). The article focuses on three prominent empirical findings. First, parent participants tend to try using a digital device with children to gratify needs for children’s learning, tension release, and bonding. Second, these parents’ perceptions of the extent to which these needs are gratified and the risks when using digital devices influence their decision to use. Third, these interviewed parents observed that the appropriate use of digital devices, with their rich educational content, flexibility, and interactivity, were instrumental in providing further opportunities for learning and discovering the world of children. The article seeks to contribute to the international literature of early childhood learning by providing evidence on factors influencing parents’ use of digital devices with their children and possible impacts of that use on children development.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Nguyen, Dr Dong
Authors: Chen, W., Teo, M. H., and Nguyen, D.
College/School:College of Social Sciences > School of Education
College of Social Sciences > School of Education > Educational Leadership & Policy
Journal Name:Asia-Pacific Education Researcher
Publisher:Springer
ISSN:0119-5646
ISSN (Online):2243-7908
Published Online:09 January 2019

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