COMPUTER GAME PLAYİNG HABİTS OF CHİLDREN AT PRE-SCHOOL EDUCATİON LEVEL BY THEİR FAMİLİES’ VİEWS

Diler Aydın; Suzan Yıldız

COMPUTER GAME PLAYİNG HABİTS OF CHİLDREN AT PRE-SCHOOL EDUCATİON LEVEL BY THEİR FAMİLİES’ VİEWS

Authors

Diler Aydın Bandirma Onyedi Eylul University
Suzan Yıldız Istanbul University

Keywords:

Child, computer games, preschool, parenting

Abstract

Objective: This study aims to examine the computer game-playing habits of children at preschool education level from the point of view of their families.
Method: The research was structured as descriptive study. The study of the population was based on 410 children attending 6 kindergartens in a district of Balikesir province; and the sample is based on 321 children and their families. Data were collected with face-to-face interview method with a questionnaire form developed by researchers. The data were evaluated with SPSS 19.0 statistical package program using number-percentage distribution, chi-square test and logistic regression.
Results: 80.7% of participating children were found to play computer games. No significant difference was found between children’s game-playing (playing versus not-playing) and either age range or gender (p>0.05). A positive significant relationship was found between children’s game-playing habits and those of their families through logistic regression evaluation (p<0.05).
Conclusion: Families should be informed about improving positive parental behavior and role-modelling, and also these behaviors effects on child health. In addition, they should be counselled by health professionals (nurses of school health, physicians, etc.) regarding the length of time children spend in front of screens, children’s game preferences and children’s computer ownership.

References

Horzum MB. Examining computer game addiction level of primary school students in terms of different variables. Education and Science 2011; 36: 56-68.

Cakır H. Taking the opinions of parents and specifying the effects on students about computer games. Mersin University Journal of the Faculty of Education 2013; 9: 138-150.

Akcay D, Ozcebe H. Evaluation of computer game playing habits of children at preschool education levels and their families. J Child 2012; 12: 66-71.

Kurt AS, Ince P, Arslan FT. Elementary school students’ attitudes towards computer. The Journal of Pediatric Research 2014; 1: 22-7.

Comert IT, Kayıran SM. Internet use among children and adolescents. J Child 2010; 10: 166-170.

Kumtepe AT. The effects of computers on kindergarten children’s social skills. The Turkish Online Journal of Educational Technology 2006; 5: 1303-6521.

Prot S, McDonald KA, Anderson CA, Gentile DA. Video games: Good, bad, or other? Pediatr Clin N Am 2012; 59: 647–658.

Iscibasi Y. Our children amidst computer, internet and video games. Journal of Selcuk Communication 2011; 7: 122-130.

Erboy E, Vural RA. The factors that make 4 and 5 grade elementary students addicted to computer games. Journal of Aegean Education 2010; 1: 39–58.

Marsh S, Mhurchu CN, Jiang Y, Maddison R. Comparative effects of TV watching, recreational computer use, and sedentary video game play on spontaneous energy intake in male children. A randomised crossover trial. Appetite 2014; 77: 13–18.

American Academy of Pediatrics, Committee on Public Education. Children, adolescents, and television. Pediatrics 2001; 107: 423-6.

American Academy of Pediatrics. Policy statement: Media use by children younger than 2 years. Pediatrics 2011; 128: 1-6.

Carson V, Janssen I. Associations between factors within the home setting and screen time among children aged 0–5 years: a cross sectional study. BMC Public Health 2012; 12: 539.

Deveci SE, Açık Y, Gulbayrak C, ve ark. Investigation of frequency of mobile phone, computer and television like electromagnetic field-producing equipment use among primary school students. Fırat Medical Journal 2007; 12: 279-283.

TingWu CS, Fowler C, Yin Lam WY, et al. Parenting approaches and digital technology use of preschool age children in a Chinese community. Italian Journal of Pediatrics 2014; 40: 44.

Hamlen KR. Children’s choices and strategies in video games. Computers in Human Behavior 2011; 27: 532–539

Kenanoglu R, Kahyaoglu M. Relationship between the cognitive, emotional and social behavior of pre-school children and the internet use. In 5th International Computer & Instructional Technologies Symposium, 2011: Fırat University, Elazıg.

Sahin MC, Tas I, Ogul IG, et al. Literature review on the use of tablet computers in preschool education. European Journal of Research on Social Studies 2014; 1: 80-3.

COMPUTER GAME PLAYİNG HABİTS OF CHİLDREN AT PRE-SCHOOL EDUCATİON LEVEL BY THEİR FAMİLİES’ VİEWS