Preschool Children’s Exposure to Media, Technology, and Screen Time: Perspectives of Caregivers from Three Early Childcare Settings

Sharkins, Kimberly A.; Newton, Allison B.; Albaiz, Najla Essa A.; Ernest, James M.

doi:10.1007/s10643-015-0732-3

Published: 23 August 2015

Preschool Children’s Exposure to Media, Technology, and Screen Time: Perspectives of Caregivers from Three Early Childcare Settings

Kimberly A. Sharkins¹,
Allison B. Newton¹,
Najla Essa A. Albaiz² &
James M. Ernest¹

Early Childhood Education Journal volume 44, pages 437–444 (2016)Cite this article

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Abstract

Young children are being increasingly exposed to media, technology, and screen time (MeTS) at home and in instructional settings. Little is known about the long-term effects of MeTS and there is a lack of research concerning caregivers’ opinions regarding young children’s exposure to and utilization of MeTS. Therefore, this study explored the opinions of parents and teachers of preschool-aged children from three diverse centers and examined MeTS usage across the varying centers and sociodemographic strata. Principal Components and MANOVA analyses indicated differences across, as well as similarities between, the centers. Collectively, caregivers from the three centers concur that MeTS can expand children’s knowledge, and that children’s exposure to violent MeTS is harmful. Caregivers from the varying centers differ in opinion regarding linking children’s MeTS exposure to harmful social and health outcomes, and teachers’ responsibilities regarding the developmentally appropriate usage of MeTS. Recommendations are provided for administrators and teachers to consider regarding communication efforts with parents, and MeTS usage in the childcare setting.

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Authors and Affiliations

University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
Kimberly A. Sharkins, Allison B. Newton & James M. Ernest
Educational Policies and Early Childhood Education, King Saud University, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Najla Essa A. Albaiz

Authors

Kimberly A. Sharkins
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Allison B. Newton
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Najla Essa A. Albaiz
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James M. Ernest
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Correspondence to Kimberly A. Sharkins.

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Sharkins, K.A., Newton, A.B., Albaiz, N.E.A. et al. Preschool Children’s Exposure to Media, Technology, and Screen Time: Perspectives of Caregivers from Three Early Childcare Settings. Early Childhood Educ J 44, 437–444 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10643-015-0732-3

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Published: 23 August 2015
Issue Date: September 2016
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10643-015-0732-3

Keywords

Media, technology, and screen time
Young children
Early childhood education
Caregiver perspectives