Pre-schoolers’ use of technology and digital media in Singapore: Entertainment indulgence and/or learning engagement?

Abstract

The proliferation of information and communication technology (ICT) has changed the way we live and this also has implications on how it is used for learning and entertainment. However, technology and digital media are more often seen as gateways to entertainment and the attraction is a very strong one. This is true for adults and children including pre-schoolers. This online survey research investigated parents’ attitudes and concerns towards their pre-schoolers’ use of technology and digital media in Singapore. More specifically, this survey research explored parents’ attitudes towards the ‘what’ and ‘why’ questions of pre-schoolers’ use of technology and digital media at home; what technological devices were more commonly used, what digital media activities were pre-schoolers mostly engaged in (i.e., learning or entertainment) and why technology and digital media were used. Parents were also surveyed if they were concerned about some perceived effects of their pre-schooler’s digital media use. Although parents rated and ranked improving their pre-schoolers’ skills and knowledge as the highest in terms of importance of digital media use, the findings of the survey reflected that the amount of time their pre-schoolers use technology and digital media for entertainment is significantly more than that for learning.