Parental competencies and technology use in children in the context of COVID-19 confinement

Abstract

Relationships between technology use in children and parental competencies during the pandemic were assessed. Using a non-experimental correlational design, 101 parents of school-age children participated. A parental competency scale and a technology questionnaire were administered. Parental competence in Shared Leisure was negatively associated with children’s tablet use and adult device checking during playtime. Positive correlations were observed between School Implication and the child’s weekly use of a PC for school tasks and a tablet/smartphone for educational games. Additionally, a negative correlation was found between Dedication and Orientation and leaving the TV on. Lastly, there was a negative correlation between Assumption of Parental Role and the habit of providing children a device when they were busy.