Children and Screens: The Experience of Parents

Abstract

Children are growing up with limitless and unmonitored access to smartphones, videogames, televisions, and computers. As a result, extensive research has been conducted to investigate how screen time affects children’s behavior, cognition, and brain functioning. In this qualitative study, I will explore and seek to understand the lived experiences of parents that have children who are exposed to excessive amounts of screen time. The following inquiries will guide my study: 1. ) Do parents use specific strategies to manage their children’s screen time use? 2. ) What are parents’ responses to the literature outlining the negative implications of excessive screen use among children? 3. ) In light of the literature, will parents limit their children’s screen time use? 4. ) In light of the literature, will parents change their personal use as a model for their children to follow? Data will be gathered through a screening measure, semi-structured interviews, and documentation analysis. The data will be analyzed using open coding and comparative methods, and an interpretation of the data will convey emerging themes of the participants’ responses. In conclusion, the implications of the research findings and future directions for research will be summarized.