Gadget playing and TV watching habits in children aged 2-5: antecedents and effects/outcomes

Highlights

The 2018 Georgia Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) evaluated electronic device usage by children under five years of age. Mothers or caretakers were asked the following question: During the past seven days did the child watch and/or play with electronic devices, such as computer, mobile, tablet or TV? This inquiry forms the basis of this report. In the report, we discuss the developmental characteristics of children aged 2–5 years and the effects of using electronic devices. We focus on the contextual and/or individual factors that may encourage or hinder the frequent use of electronic devices by children. Accordingly the main part of the report, which includes the analysis of the research data, will be divided into two parts: 1. Prerequisites or antecedents for the use of electronic devices by children (what circumstances contribute to the frequent use of electronic devices by children?) and 2. Effects/Outcomes (what impact does the use of electronic devices have on a child’s major areas of development at the target age?)

In this report, we have tried to answer the following main research questions:

1. What factors lead to the frequent use of technology by children aged 2–5 years?
2. Is there any relationship between children’s use of electronics and their early childhood development index? If yes, how does the frequent use of electronic devices affect the early childhood development and its dimensions?