Tablet & Co. as nanny - parents control their children's usage behavior
Although digital media hold a strong fascination for preschoolers, they prefer to play with friends. This is shown by the ADELE study conducted by ZHAW and Swisscom. Screen time depends heavily on the parents—which is why rules are very important. This is especially true since parents often keep their children occupied with tablets and other devices so they can get household chores done.
Swiss children are fascinated by digital devices - and surrounded by them, as their parents often use smartphones, tablets or laptops in their everyday lives. Nevertheless, digital media play no role in many of the activities of pre-school children. If they had to decide, they would usually give priority to playing with other children. This is shown by the new ADELE study by the ZHAW Media Psychology department and Swisscom, which examines children's use of media. The study surveyed 24 children aged 4 to 7 and their parents across Switzerland.
Writing skills as a natural barrier
The children surveyed enjoy playing together, exercising outside or having stories read to them. However, they also enjoy watching TV and listening to music. Video games are also important to them, which are mainly played on consoles such as X-Box® or Playstation®, but also on tablets and smartphones. However, only a few children under the age of eight use the internet. "Due to their limited reading and writing skills, children are not yet able to enter terms into search engines," says ZHAW media psychologist Gregor Waller. However, some children get around this barrier by using voice assistants to navigate the internet with the help of voice commands. "The threshold for accessing the internet is getting lower and lower. Ten years ago, touchscreens revolutionized the use of the internet, today it's voice assistants," says Waller.
Parents are role models
Most of the children surveyed can switch on individual devices such as CD players, radios or TVs themselves, change a channel or insert a CD. However, they quickly reach their limits and are then supported by older siblings or their parents. Around half of children have taught themselves or learned these digital skills. The reasons for using digital media are varied. The social environment seems to be the most important for children. "That's why parents, older siblings and the environment outside the family are important role models when it comes to using media," says Gregor Waller. But fun, entertainment and curiosity are also important. The time of year also influences media usage behavior. Because when it's cold and wet outside, pre-school children use digital media more often.
Digital media as a distraction
Many parents use digital media to keep their children occupied while they do housework. It also shows that 4 to 7-year-olds only help out a little in the household. Many parents appreciate the initially calming effect of digital media and deliberately use it when children are restless. The majority also use informative media content and around half of parents use educational software and apps. However, many parents are afraid of the high addictive potential of digital media. They are also worried that their children could come into contact with inappropriate content. Gregor Waller therefore recommends accompanying and monitoring children's media consumption. This way, parents can adjust the media content if children react anxiously. Around half of the families surveyed protect their digital devices primarily with a password. "The device password locks the entire device. With parental control settings, however, you can block only certain content much more precisely," says Michael In Albon, Youth Media Protection Officer at Swisscom. "This is possible on all common devices, platforms and operating systems."
Time and frequency restrictions common
Almost all of the families surveyed have set rules for the media use of their children aged 4 to 7. Media such as audio books or CDs can usually be used by the children without restriction. On the other hand, almost all families have time and frequency limits for television and videos (e.g. YouTube). In most cases, parents set clearly defined time quotas. However, how long and how regularly children are allowed to use the media varies from family to family. These restrictions have a direct influence on children's media consumption, as they usually cannot manage without parental help. Use is often also integrated into the weekly or daily routine through well-established routines and rituals. Parents often impose a general ban on digital media and children have to ask explicitly if they want to use the devices.
Parents actively control media use
Media education is a constant process of negotiation for parents, as children at this age are not yet able to set their own time limits. Rules are also often in conflict with media behavior in other families. Parents usually intervene when they feel that usage is getting out of hand. "While time control is easy to enforce, rules regarding content are more difficult," says Gregor Waller. "That's why many parents vacillate between active and passive control." However, parents are usually within sight or earshot to monitor content. They also control media use by managing the devices and selecting content. For most parents, it is important to have a clear stance and remain consistent. However, if children are still unable to break away from digital activity, it is not uncommon for a ban to be imposed.
