EXAMINING THE EFFECTS OF INTERNET USE ON CHILDREN DURING THE EARLY CHILDHOOD (PLAY) PERIOD
Abstract
In recent years, there has been a marked increase in both the prevalence and use of the internet and technology. The rising ownership of smartphones, computers, and tablets, coupled with the widespread availability of internet connections in households, indicates that these devices have become indispensable not only for adults and adolescents but also for children in the play period, and even for newborns. The internet serves as a tool that enables children to explore the world, spend time in an enjoyable way, and access information with ease. It also helps reinforce concepts learned in daily life and education through computer games. By integrating text, images, motion, and sound, the internet captures children’s interest and transforms learning into a multidimensional experience. However, alongside these benefits, internet use also poses certain risks for children, such as exposure to illegal or harmful content, communication with dangerous individuals, excessive gaming, and social withdrawal. This study aimed to identify the devices children in early childhood (play period) use to access the internet, the purposes for which they use it, how their parents supervise them, and the factors that increase or decrease their internet usage. The study was conducted with 60 parents residing in Nicosia and Güzelyurt in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, each having children aged between 3 and 6 years. The research followed a qualitative design, and data were collected through interviews. The results showed that approximately 51.76% of children accessed the internet via mobile phones, 32.43% used it primarily for gaming, and 47.16% of parents supervised their children during use. Furthermore, playing with family or friends was reported by 34.78% of parents as a factor that reduced internet use, whereas the absence of a caregiver was noted by 65.90% as the leading factor increasing usage.
Keywords: Early childhood, internet, parent.
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