Mobile device use among preschool-aged children in Greece

Area of Science:

• Child Development
• Educational Technology
• Parenting Studies

Background:

• Interactive touchscreen devices are now common for young children, with toddlers using them before age two.
• Parents play a key role in children's development but hold mixed views on educational apps.
• Understanding children's smart mobile use at home is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate children's smart mobile device usage patterns at home.
• To identify preferred app types among young children.
• To understand parental beliefs and strategies regarding mobile device use for education.

Main Methods:

• Survey administered to 325 parents of kindergarten children.
• Data collected on frequency of use, app preferences, and parental beliefs.
• Analysis of smart mobile usage and parental strategies in the home environment.

Main Results:

• Parents actively use mobile devices to foster their children's learning at home.
• A significant gap exists in parental knowledge regarding the developmental appropriateness of apps.
• Parents require additional information and guidance on selecting and using educational apps.

Conclusions:

• Parents aim to leverage mobile devices for educational support but need better resources.
• Further research is needed to inform parents and guide the development of truly educational apps for children.
• Bridging the knowledge gap is essential for maximizing the benefits of educational technology for young children.