The association between parent-child technology interference and cognitive and social-emotional development in preschool-aged children

Abstract

Background: The increased adoption and dependence of electronic devices have potential implications on parent-child relationships, including parental responsiveness. Few studies have examined the association between parent-child technology interference and developmental outcomes. The objective of this study was to examine the associations between parent-child technology interference and cognitive and social-emotional development in preschool-aged children (3-5 years).

Methods: Participants were 100 parents and their preschool-aged child from Edmonton, Canada. Parent-child technology interference across six different devices (i.e., cell phone/smartphone, tablet, iPod, television, computer and video game console) was parental reported using an adapted version of the Technology Device Interference Scale, and a total score was calculated. Cognitive development was objectively measured using three iPad-based tasks from the Early Years Toolbox to capture executive functions (i.e., working memory and response inhibition) and language development (i.e., expressive vocabulary). Social-emotional development was parental reported using the Child Self-Regulation and Social Behaviour Questionnaire, and seven subscales (i.e., sociability, externalizing, internalizing, prosocial and behavioural, cognitive, and emotional self-regulation) were calculated. Multiple linear regression models that adjusted for several potential confounders were conducted.

Results: The mean total parent-child technology interference score was 4.2 units, which equates to approximately 12-16 interruptions per day due to an electronic device. Approximately 60% of the score was due to interference by a cell phone/smartphone. After removing influential cases based on Cook's distance values, higher parent-child technology interference was significantly associated with lower response inhibition (B = -0.015, 95% CI: -0.028, -0.002) and emotional self-regulation (B = -0.095, 95% CI: -0.163, -0.028) scores and higher log externalizing (B = 0.033, 95% CI: 0.002, 0.063) and log internalizing (B = 0.034, 95% CI: 0.013, 0.056) scores.

Conclusions: Electronic devices, in particular the cell phone/smartphone, appear to interrupt parents' conversations and activities with their preschool-aged child multiple times per day. Higher parent-child technology interference may be adversely associated with several subdomains of early childhood development. Future longitudinal and experimental research is needed to confirm these findings.

Keywords: cell phone; child; child development; parents; preschool; technology.