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Relationship Between Parenting Practices and Children's Screen Time During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Turkey
Aslihan Ozturk Eyimaya1, Aylin Yalçin Irmak2
1Ankara University, Nursing Faculty, Department of Nursing, Ankara, Turkey.
Insights
Children's screen time significantly increased during the COVID-19 pandemic, with most families establishing screen time rules. Parenting practices and family characteristics influenced this rise.
Area of Science:
- Child Psychology
- Family Studies
- Public Health
Background:
- The COVID-19 pandemic led to significant societal shifts, including changes in family routines and increased reliance on digital devices.
- Understanding the impact of these changes on children's behavior, specifically screen time, is crucial for child development and well-being.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between parenting practices and children's screen time in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.
- To identify factors influencing increased screen time among children during the pandemic.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study involving 1115 parents of children aged 6-13 years in Turkey.
- Data collected via descriptive questionnaires and the Parenting Practices Scale.
- Statistical analysis included descriptive, correlation, and multiple regression analyses.
Main Results:
- 71.7% of families reported an increase in children's daily screen time (average 6.42 ± 3.07 hours).
- 89.6% of families had implemented ground rules for screen time.
- Mothers' employment status, flexible work arrangements for fathers, and inconsistent parenting practices were significant predictors of increased screen time.
Conclusions:
- Children's screen time substantially increased during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Monitoring screen time, providing support, and establishing clear ground rules are recommended for parents.
Purpose:
This study investigates the relationship between parenting practices and children's screen time following the COVID-19 outbreak.
Design And Methods:
The population of the present cross-sectional study was the parents of children studying in three randomly-selected schools in the western, eastern and central regions of Turkey. The study data were collected between May 15 and 31, 2020, using a descriptive questionnaire form and the Parenting Practices Scale applied to 1115 parents of children between 6 and 13 years of age. The data were analyzed using the SPSS 21.0 software package, and with descriptive, correlation and multiple regression analyses.
Results:
It was noted that 68% of the mothers did not work, and 40.2% of the fathers had shifted to a flexible work arrangement as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The study revealed that 89.6% of the families had established ground rules related to screen time, and that the screen time of the children of 71.7% of the families had seen an increase, amounting to 6.42 ± 3.07 h/day. Gender, age, household income, mother's employment status, family's rules about screen time, and inconsistent parenting practices were defined as significant predictors in the children's screen time model created for the study.
Conclusions:
A vast majority of the participants stated that their children's screen time had increased during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Practice Implications:
Screen time should be monitored, the necessary support should be provided to children, and parents should set ground rules for their children's screen times.
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