Technology addiction in preschool period: An analysis on Illustrated children's books

Abstract

In today’s world, technological devices have started to take an important part in human life. Many studies have determined that technological devices have positive and negative effects on individuals' physical, social-emotional, cognitive, and language development. In parallel with the developments in science and technology, tools such as pens, books, notebooks, and erasers, which used to be popular in the past for children, have been replaced by devices such as tablets, phones, and computers. When examined from this aspect, it can be mentioned that many technology-based devices, which are widely used today, have positive and negative effects on people. Especially in early childhood, the misuse of technological devices can cause undesirable and permanent results. For this reason, families and stakeholders in the education process should provide awareness of the prevention of technology addiction. Illustrated children's books are one of the most important tools that parents and educators can use to convey accurate information to children. With the help of illustrated children's books, how and how long technological devices will be benefited, and problems that may arise in their misuse can be conveyed to children in accordance with their developmental levels. This situation reveals the requirement for the content and the way of conveying the content of illustrated children’s books related to technology addiction to be correct. In parallel with this information, the study aimed to examine the content of illustrated children's books on technology addiction for the preschool period. The qualitative research method was used in the research. The study group was determined by the criterion sampling method, one of the purposeful sampling methods. Accordingly, the study group consisted of 15 illustrated children's books that are still in print and accessible to researchers. Illustrated children's books were examined by document analysis method. The books were analyzed using descriptive analysis technique and content analysis technique. As a result of the study, it was observed that the illustrated children’s books examined did not contain enough content about the dangers that might be encountered in the internet environment which children are frequently exposed to, and some of the suggested solutions for technology addiction are considered appropriate, but not presented sufficiently. As in other books, illustrated children's books on technology addiction should be written according to the child's developmental characteristics, and an information note for families and information about the age group that the book addresses should be included for guidance. Besides, in these children's books, judgments that create anxiety, stress, and fear and blame the family or the child should be avoided.