Page 115 - Petelin, Ana, et al. 2019. Eds. Zdravje otrok in mladostnikov / Health of Children and Adolescents. Proceedings. Koper: University of Primorska Press
P. 115
Digital media use in preschool children
and its socio-emotional
and health outcomes
Marina Perković Kovačević1,2, Marina Kotrla Topić3, Marija Šakić Velić3,4
1 Department of Psychiatry, University Hospital Centre Osijek, Osijek, Croatia
2 Department of Psychiatry and Psychological Medicine, J. J. Strossmayer University,
Faculty of Medicine, Osijek, Croatia
3 Ivo Pilar Institute of Social Sciences, Zagreb, Croatia
4 Catholic university of Croatia, Zagreb, Croatia
Abstract
Introduction: Exposure of young children aged 6-7 to all forms of
digital media (DM) is increasing. Furthermore, there are growing
concerns about the impact of DM use on children and families. In
this research, we report preliminary findings from a small-scale study
aiming to investigate the relationship between children’s DM use in
home environment and socio-emotional, as well as health outcomes.
Methods: In the spring of 2019, a survey was conducted among 95 parents
of children aged 6 to 7 (44 girls and 51 boys) in three primary schools in
Osijek, Croatia. They provided the information on their children’s DM
use in home environment, and on some socio-emotional and health
outcomes. Results: We examined the relationship between the frequency
of using different DM in home environment and the purpose of such
use during a typical working day or weekend, with parental estimates
of children’s health, general happiness, peer relationships, level of
frustration, attention, and prosocial behaviour. Family’s socio-economic
status and parental perception of DM were used as control variables.
Discussion and conclusion: Exposure of young children aged 6 to 7 to all
forms of DM might interfere with children’s socio-emotional and health
outcomes. Our findings suggest that preventing an excessive use of DM
may reduce the likelihood of socio-emotional and health problems in
children.
Key words: digital media, preschool children, socio-emotional and health
outcomes
Introduction
Exposure of young children to all forms of digital media (DM) in home envi-
ronment is increasing. At the same time, there are growing concerns about the
impact of DM use on children and families, with parents urging for guidance.
and its socio-emotional
and health outcomes
Marina Perković Kovačević1,2, Marina Kotrla Topić3, Marija Šakić Velić3,4
1 Department of Psychiatry, University Hospital Centre Osijek, Osijek, Croatia
2 Department of Psychiatry and Psychological Medicine, J. J. Strossmayer University,
Faculty of Medicine, Osijek, Croatia
3 Ivo Pilar Institute of Social Sciences, Zagreb, Croatia
4 Catholic university of Croatia, Zagreb, Croatia
Abstract
Introduction: Exposure of young children aged 6-7 to all forms of
digital media (DM) is increasing. Furthermore, there are growing
concerns about the impact of DM use on children and families. In
this research, we report preliminary findings from a small-scale study
aiming to investigate the relationship between children’s DM use in
home environment and socio-emotional, as well as health outcomes.
Methods: In the spring of 2019, a survey was conducted among 95 parents
of children aged 6 to 7 (44 girls and 51 boys) in three primary schools in
Osijek, Croatia. They provided the information on their children’s DM
use in home environment, and on some socio-emotional and health
outcomes. Results: We examined the relationship between the frequency
of using different DM in home environment and the purpose of such
use during a typical working day or weekend, with parental estimates
of children’s health, general happiness, peer relationships, level of
frustration, attention, and prosocial behaviour. Family’s socio-economic
status and parental perception of DM were used as control variables.
Discussion and conclusion: Exposure of young children aged 6 to 7 to all
forms of DM might interfere with children’s socio-emotional and health
outcomes. Our findings suggest that preventing an excessive use of DM
may reduce the likelihood of socio-emotional and health problems in
children.
Key words: digital media, preschool children, socio-emotional and health
outcomes
Introduction
Exposure of young children to all forms of digital media (DM) in home envi-
ronment is increasing. At the same time, there are growing concerns about the
impact of DM use on children and families, with parents urging for guidance.
