Laing, Kylie (2018) Technology Use of Children 0-6 Years of Age: A Diary Study. Honours thesis, University of Southern Queensland. (Unpublished)
Abstract
In this digital age, with access and use of technology constantly on the rise, young children now have more access to the internet and various technologies than ever before. Previous research suggests negative effects of technology use on child development, health and behaviour, which has led to recommendations to limit young children’s technology use. However, little is known about technology use by young children. Thus the aim of this research is to examine technology use in children 0 to 6 years of age. Eighty-one Australian parents completed a short questionnaire gathering information on household technology use; fifteen parents subsequently completed a 7-day diary recording technology use by the child. A content analysis was used to analyse the function (why used) and context (how used). Results indicated all households had access to the internet although the length of use for young children greatly varied. Children accessed technology throughout the day with content viewed primarily cartoons. This study highlights that for positive development and wellbeing of young children, the content viewed, function, and context of technology use may be particularly important, not primarily the length of screen time. Further research into the elements such as type of content viewed is required. Results may highlight the importance of interventions and updated guidelines aimed at assisting and supporting parents to achieve healthy early technology use.
|
Statistics for this ePrint Item |
| Item Type: | Thesis (Non-Research) (Honours) |
|---|---|
| Item Status: | Live Archive |
| Additional Information: | Current UniSQ staff and students can request access to this thesis. Please email research.repository@unisq.edu.au with a subject line of SEAR thesis request and provide: Name of the thesis requested and Your name and UniSQ email address |
| Faculty/School / Institute/Centre: | Historic - Faculty of Health, Engineering and Sciences - School of Psychology and Counselling (1 Jan 2015 - 31 Dec 2021) |
| Supervisors: | Tanya Machin; Michelle Adamson |
| Qualification: | Bachelor of Science (Honours) |
| Date Deposited: | 07 Aug 2025 02:15 |
| Last Modified: | 07 Aug 2025 02:15 |
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | Technology, children, young children, screen time, devices, diary, content analysis |
| Fields of Research (2008): | 17 Psychology and Cognitive Sciences > 1799 Other Psychology and Cognitive Sciences > 179999 Psychology and Cognitive Sciences not elsewhere classified |
| Fields of Research (2020): | 52 PSYCHOLOGY > 5299 Other psychology > 529999 Other psychology not elsewhere classified |
| URI: | https://sear.unisq.edu.au/id/eprint/52482 |
Actions (login required)
 |
Archive Repository Staff Only |
