Effect of implementing parental strategies on preventing digital overdependence among their preschool children

Abstract

Background: Overuse of digital devices is a practice known as "digital overdependence," which can have a number of adverse implications on children's socialization, physical and mental wellbeing, sleep quality, and psychological dependency. Additionally, it negatively impacts preschoolers' general development. Aim: the current study aimed to determine the effect of implementing parental strategies on preventing digital overdependence among their preschool children.. Research design: A quazi experimental design was used to fulfill its aim. Subjects: 218 participant parents divided equally to 109 for rural and 109 for urban nurseries who were registered at the selected nurseries at the time of the study. Tool of data collection: Five questionnaires were used tool (1) Sociodemographic criteria, (2) Over-dependence criteria of digital devices (3) Problematic technology use scale for young Children (HFS-P) (4) The proposed causes of digital overdependence (5) The proposed preventive strategies of overdependence. Results: the current study showed that, 85.8% of total sample aged 5 years old, 57.3 % of participant mothers aged 20 :< 30 years old. About 41.7% of the total sample (21.1 % and 20.6 % of those at urban and rural areas respectively) spent 3:4 hours per day on the internet, (85.8%) of the participant preschool children had headache, (76.6%) had blurred vision and (64%) had eye redness. Conclusion: 58.8 % of the total sample divided into 26.2 % and 32.6 % of urban and rural residence aged 5 years old. There was a statistically significant relation between preschool level of internet addiction and the problematic technology use domains except effect on development. Indeed, 3.55±.20964 of participant preschool children mean scores as reported by their parents prefer digital life to real life, which decreased to 2.44±.23973 after implementing the preventive strategies. Recommendations: Encourage children to read books or tales in the library, play in groups, and participate in sports in the sports clubs to help them improve their mental and physical skills.