The role of parents in digital media use by preschool-age children in Greece

Abstract
Purpose: The use of digital media by very young children has attracted the interest of many
researchers over the last decade. However, very few studies worldwide have focused on the use of
digital media by children below 5. Furthermore, the framework of parental mediation that is used to
understand the strategies that parents employ to manage their children’s use of digital media is limited
to evidence based mainly on studies on TV viewing. As children, even young ones, seem to prefer
touchscreen devices, especially tablets, because they are portable, easy to use 24/7, and provide
autonomy of choice and use, research on parental mediation strategies for these devices should be
conducted. This study aimed at exploring: (a) which type of mediation strategies parents of preschoolage
children (3 to 5) employ to manage their children’s digital media use, and (b) the effect of digital
media use by parents and parental mediation strategies on children’s digital media use in the context
of the modern greek family.
Methods: 103 parents of 3-5 year old children from all over Greece participated in this study by
completing a questionnaire based on developmentally appropriate tools with good psychometric
properties.
Results: The results highlighted the decisive role played by Greek parents in shaping the digital
experience of very young children. Parents' habits and practices regarding the use of digital devices,
both for personal use and as a parenting tool, were found to be the most influential factor in young
children's use of digital devices.
Implications: This finding has important implications for the formulation of guidelines and policies
regarding digital media use by children under 5 years of age.