NEWS
A Study at UoB Reveals the Lack of Awareness Among Parents on the Dangers of Children’s Use of Mobile Devices
Sakhir – University of Bahrain (Ali Al-Sabbaq)
19 July 2023
A study at the University of Bahrain (UoB) revealed that half of Bahraini parents do not monitor their children’s use of mobile devices, nor do they take the initiative to block offensive content, showing that the largest percentage of parents are unaware of the danger of children using such devices.
This came in the findings of a study presented by Khadija Mohammed Habib, a student in the Master’s program in Mass Communication at UoB, as part of the requirements for a master’s degree.
An examination committee discussed researcher Habib in her thesis titled: “Parents’ Awareness of The Dangers of Children’s Use of Mobile devices” which discussed the dangers of technology and media in the digital age to children.
As the study warned of the repercussions of the use of mobile devices on children in particular, and society in general, such as: lack of communication, the impact on family relations, the lack of social participation, the impact on the physical and psychological health of children, and the establishment of inappropriate thoughts in them.
The study was supervised by Associate Professor in the Department of Media, Tourism and Arts, Dr. Hatem Ahmed Al-Suraidi, and it aimed to identify the extent of parents’ awareness of the significance of children’s use of mobile devices in early childhood (from 3 to 6 years), and to monitor the effects and repercussions of such use. In addition, it aimed to examine the role of parents and society in addressing this phenomenon.
The researcher employed the semi-structured interview tool, which relies on open dialogue, with a sample of 20 parents and eight experts, to obtain the findings of the study, which is classified as a qualitative analytical study.
Moreover, the study found that parents allow their children to use the devices often for an open time without restrictions and without supervision, in addition to that the largest number of parents provide a device specifically for the child, which has a negative and serious effect, according to experts’ opinions.
Furthermore, the study showed that YouTube holds first place in children’s use, followed by various gaming applications, whether educational or for entertainment, and the research concluded that the sources of content that children view are unsafe and unreliable.
The study suggested several mechanisms that would remove children from the dangers of this use, including: involving the child in responsibilities, preventing unilateral use, manual monitoring, adopting technical protection programs, providing alternatives, linking the child’s device to the guardian’s device, choosing the appropriate content, and educating individuals.
“The study recommendations encourage blocking offensive content and work to legalize use and protect children from negative sources, and this is the responsibility of parents first and then the state, including the government sector, and all concerned authorities.” Researcher Khadija Habib stated.
She further added that: ” it also encourages increasing the involvement of the age group (from 3 to 6 years) in community activities, and to focus on outdoor activities, which promote physical, behavioral and moral health, and reduce the risks of misuse of devices for children.”.
In addition, the study stressed the importance of increasing efforts by specialists and experts in educating parents and children alike through various government agencies and institutions concerned with child protection, and to further raise awareness in schools and kindergartens.
An examination committee discussed the researcher in her thesis, and it consisted of: Associate Professor of Media and Public Relations at the Department of Media, Tourism and Arts at UoB, Dr. Ashraf Ahmed Abdulmoghith, as an internal examiner, and a faculty member at Al Qasimia University in the United Arab Emirates, Professor Dr. Atta Hassan Abdulrahim, as an external examiner.
