Association between digital parenting behaviors and technology addiction in 24- to 36-month-old children: A...

This study aimed to examine the association between digital parenting behaviors and technology addiction in children aged 24-36 months and to identify parental strategies associated with lower levels of technology addiction.

This cross-sectional study was conducted in 2024 with 275 volunteer mothers of children aged 2-3 years. Data were collected using a personal information form, the Technology Addiction Scale, and the Digital Parenting Behavior Scale.

The results showed that the mean age of the mothers was 30.69 ± 4.93 years; 59.3% of them stated that their daily screen time was 2-3 h, except at work. The technology addiction level among children was moderate, whereas mothers had high-level parenting skills. Mothers' high education level (p = 0.003), children's short-term exposure to screens (p < 0.001), and use of digital devices for educational purposes (p < 0.001) positively impacted the reduction of technology addiction. Technical precaution (β = -0.21, p = 0.031) and controlled use of digital devices (β = -0.25, p = 0.032), as digital parenting behaviors, were the negative predictors of technology addiction in children.

It was concluded that risk factors should be evaluated, digital parenting behaviors should be improved, and family-oriented multidisciplinary intervention programs should be organized to prevent technology addiction in young children.

Enhancing mothers' digital parenting behaviors-such as taking technical precautions and ensuring controlled use of digital devices-may effectively reduce technology addiction risk in young children.