• Human Ecology Research
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• v.59 no.2
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• pp.157-168
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• 2021

The purpose of this study was to examine the pathways between mothers' inappropriate smart device usage habits, preschoolers' immersion tendency and self-regulation, and children's cognitive ability. The subjects of the study were 308 preschoolers aged 4 and 5 years and their mothers in Seoul, Gyeonggi-do, Incheon, Gangwon-do, Daejeon, Busan, and Mokpo. Data were analyzed with descriptive statistics, t-test, one-way ANOVA, and Pearson correlation using the SPSS 25 program. A sequential mediation model was analyzed using the AMOS 22 program. Mothers' inappropriate smart device usage habits were found to have a negative effect on the preschoolers' self-regulation, and this association was mediated by the preschoolers' smart device immersion tendency. These findings show the mechanisms through which mothers' inappropriate smart device usage habits negatively affect preschoolers' smart device immersion and self-regulation which, in turn, has a negative impact on cognitive ability

• Korean Journal of Childcare and Education
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• v.11 no.6
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• pp.133-151
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• 2015

The aim of this study was to examine how children's self control, mother's addiction to smart devices and parenting behavior influence the way young children used smart devices. Participants were made up of 166 preschoolers and their mothers. Descriptive analysis, Pearson's correlation coefficient, and hierarchical regression analysis were used for statistical analysis. The results were as follows: First, children in their early childhood years used smart devices once or twice a week, for ten to thirty minutes, mainly during weekends. Children in their early childhood stage started to use smart devices before reaching the age of 3, and accessed them through their parents, usually along with their siblings. Parents allowed their children to use smart devices for fun and entertainment, with only 66.3% of them setting rules. Second, the mother's tendency to be immersed in smart devices, overprotection and permission were positively correlated to young children's overusage of smart devices, whereas geniality, encouragement, setting limits, and children's self control were negatively correlated. The study also found that the mother's tendency of being immersed in smart devices was the most influential factor for their children's overusage of smart devices. The value of this study lies in providing practical suggestions for children's smart device usage and parental education programs.