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Journals / Uluslararası Sosyal Bilimler ve Eğitim Dergisi / 2026 / Cilt: 8 Sayı: 14

Managing digital media use in children aged 3-9: Parent strategies and involvement

3-9 yaş grubu çocuklarda dijital medya kullanımının yönetimi: Ebeveyn stratejileri ve katılımı

Gülçin Güven(MARMARA ÜNİVERSİTESİ)0000-0002-9638-025X
Seher Yumugan(Özel Frigya Çocukları Anaokulu)0009-0004-8809-5012
Pages
225–266
Publication Date
2026-04-04
DOI
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AI Summary & Key Takeaways

AI Insight
⚡ TL;DR(Too Long; Didn't Read)

Random forest results showed that siblings' media habits, content type, parental time restriction level, and socio-economic variables were prominent in predicting usage time.

📌 3 Key Takeaways

🎯
Objective & Hypothesis:This study examines the digital media usage patterns of children in the preschool and early elementary school years and the digital parenting strategies adopted by parents to manage this usage using a mixed-methods approach.
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Key Findings & Data:The study group consists of 92 parents living in different provinces of Turkey who had children aged 3-9 years, predominantly aged 3-6 years at the time of data collection.
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Conclusion & Impact:Random forest results showed that siblings' media habits, content type, parental time restriction level, and socio-economic variables were prominent in predicting usage time.
🔬Design:Araştırma Makalesi
📍Scope:Comprehensive Sample
⚙️Variables:Dijital medya kullanımı · ebeveyn yönetim stratejileri · çocuk gelişimi

Abstract

This study examines the digital media usage patterns of children in the preschool and early elementary school years and the digital parenting strategies adopted by parents to manage this usage using a mixed-methods approach. The study group consists of 92 parents living in different provinces of Turkey who had children aged 3-9 years, predominantly aged 3-6 years at the time of data collection. Quantitative data were collected through a demographic form and scales measuring children's digital media use and parental management strategies; qualitative data were collected through semi-structured interviews with 20 parents. The findings show that most children spend 1-2 hours a day in front of a screen, that television and smartphones are used most frequently, and that entertainment-type content is dominant, while educational content is concentrated in a more limited group. Cluster analysis revealed different parent-child profiles based on screen time, content type, and parental strategies. Random forest results showed that siblings' media habits, content type, parental time restriction level, and socio-economic variables were prominent in predicting usage time. Qualitative findings revealed that parents view digital media as both an opportunity and a risk area; concerns about safety, inappropriate content, and addiction are prominent, while educational content and shared use are perceived as developmental opportunities. Consequently, it is recommended that family-focused digital media literacy programs be strengthened in policy and practice.

Özet

Bu araştırma, okul öncesi ve erken ilkokul dönemindeki çocukların dijital medya kullanım örüntülerini ve ebeveynlerin bu kullanımı yönetmek için benimsedikleri dijital ebeveynlik stratejilerini karma yöntemle incelemektedir. Çalışma grubu, Türkiye’nin farklı illerinde yaşayan ve veri toplama tarihinde 3-6 yaş ağırlıklı olmak üzere 3-9 yaş aralığında çocuğu bulunan 92 ebeveynden oluşmaktadır. Nicel veriler demografik form ile çocuk dijital medya kullanımı ve ebeveyn yönetim stratejileri ölçekleri aracılığıyla; nitel veriler ise 20 ebeveynle yapılan yarı yapılandırılmış görüşmelerle toplanmıştır. Bulgular, çocukların çoğunun günde 1-2 saat ekran karşısında zaman geçirdiğini, en sık televizyon ve akıllı telefonun kullanıldığını ve içerikte eğlencelik türlerin baskın olduğunu; eğitici içeriklerin daha sınırlı bir grupta yoğunlaştığını göstermektedir. Kümelenme analizi, ekran süresi, içerik türü ve ebeveyn stratejilerine göre farklı ebeveyn-çocuk profilleri ortaya koymuştur. Rastgele orman sonuçları, kullanım süresini yordamada kardeşlerin medya alışkanlıkları, içerik türü, ebeveynin süre sınırlama düzeyi ve sosyo-ekonomik değişkenlerin öne çıktığını göstermiştir. Nitel bulgular, ebeveynlerin dijital medyayı hem fırsat hem risk alanı olarak gördüğünü; güvenlik, uygunsuz içerik ve bağımlılık kaygılarının belirgin olduğunu, buna karşın eğitici içerik ve birlikte kullanımın gelişimsel bir olanak olarak algılandığını ortaya koymuştur. Sonuç olarak, aile odaklı dijital medya okuryazarlığı programlarının politika ve uygulamalarda güçlendirilmesi önerilmektedir.

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Cite This Article

Güven, G., Yumugan, S. (2026). Managing digital media use in children aged 3-9: Parent strategies and involvement. Uluslararası Sosyal Bilimler ve Eğitim Dergisi, Cilt: 8 Sayı: 14, 225–266. https://ajindex.com/articles/1571449

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