Children, parents and tablets: Preschool children's tablet use

Abstract

The aim of this study is to examine preschoolers' tablet use and evaluate parents' opinions concerning it. To this end, the study made use of a case study design which is a means of qualitative research. The sample of the study consists of five preschoolers and their parents. The study data was gathered with observations related to preschoolers' tablet use, examinations of the applications in children's tablets and semi-structured interviews with parents. The analysis framework for tablet use was structured based on the document review process and data concerning observations and interviews underwent content analysis. The study findings suggest that parents have some specific criteria when determining tablet games, that they worry about children's tablet PC use but they take precautions against them. Also, entertaining children, parental effects and lack of outdoor games are other influential factors in tablet PC use. Parents also accept tablets as useful education tools. The study findings also demonstrate that preschoolers use tablets mainly for playing games, and that parents' knowledge about tablets is generally limited to game applications. The study results can be interpreted as that parents generally emphasize the educational features of game applications in tablets, and they are recommended and supported to learn about different applications so as to improve children's development.