A Qualitative Study Examining Household Context and Parental Perspectives on Preschoolers’ Digital Media Use Guidelines
Dublin Core
Title
A Qualitative Study Examining Household Context and Parental Perspectives on Preschoolers’ Digital Media Use Guidelines
Subject
Digital media
Electronic Resource Item Type Metadata
Journal Name
BMC Public Health
Volume
Vol. 26
Issue
No. 1
Publication Date
2026
Publisher
BioMed Central
Document Type
Journal article
Language
English
ISBN
14712458
Region
Canada
Access
Open Access
View Source
Abstract
Background
Evidence suggests that the uptake of pediatric guidelines for screen use is generally low, which highlights a need to better understand the familial factors shaping children’s digital media use. This study aimed to explore parents’ perspectives regarding digital media use guidelines, including the factors that influence adherence to recommendations.
Methods
Semi-structured interviews with 28 parents of young children were analyzed using thematic analysis. Purposive and snowball sampling were employed to recruit parents through notices posted at grocery stores, libraries, preschools, and a university database.
Results
Three overarching themes emerged: (1) influences and variations on digital media use in families; (2) views regarding guidelines; and (3) recommendations for disseminating and improving uptake of guidelines. Sub-themes included parental attitudes, family context, child characteristics, lack of information, parenting stress, and knowledge dissemination strategies.
Conclusions
Parental views regarding guidelines are shaped by personal attitudes, family context, child characteristics, availability of information, and societal influences. Recommendations include highlighting the developmental impacts on children, the effects of different types of screen activities, and strategies for limiting digital media use. Dissemination of information should use a multi-faceted approach that involves different sectors such as health and education, providing follow-up assessments, and building supportive environments.
Evidence suggests that the uptake of pediatric guidelines for screen use is generally low, which highlights a need to better understand the familial factors shaping children’s digital media use. This study aimed to explore parents’ perspectives regarding digital media use guidelines, including the factors that influence adherence to recommendations.
Methods
Semi-structured interviews with 28 parents of young children were analyzed using thematic analysis. Purposive and snowball sampling were employed to recruit parents through notices posted at grocery stores, libraries, preschools, and a university database.
Results
Three overarching themes emerged: (1) influences and variations on digital media use in families; (2) views regarding guidelines; and (3) recommendations for disseminating and improving uptake of guidelines. Sub-themes included parental attitudes, family context, child characteristics, lack of information, parenting stress, and knowledge dissemination strategies.
Conclusions
Parental views regarding guidelines are shaped by personal attitudes, family context, child characteristics, availability of information, and societal influences. Recommendations include highlighting the developmental impacts on children, the effects of different types of screen activities, and strategies for limiting digital media use. Dissemination of information should use a multi-faceted approach that involves different sectors such as health and education, providing follow-up assessments, and building supportive environments.
Cataloger
Julia Arizono
Citation
“A Qualitative Study Examining Household Context and Parental Perspectives on Preschoolers’ Digital Media Use Guidelines,” ICMGLT Digital Library, accessed November 3, 2026, https://library.icmglt.org/items/show/743.