Relationship between young children's smartphone play and lifestyle habits

2022 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 18K02863
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 09070:Educational technology-related
• Research Institution: Naruto University of Education
• Principal Investigator: Hiroki Yuji 鳴門教育大学, 大学院学校教育研究科, 教授 (50290531)
• Project Period (FY): 2018-04-01 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: スマートフォン / タブレット / 依存傾向 / 幼児 / デジタルメディア / ゲーム / COVID-19 / パネル調査

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between children's dependence on digital media use and their lifestyle habits by conducting a survey of parents and guardians. The panel survey results suggest that dependence on digital media tends to have an adverse effect on sleep time in 5-year-old children and promotes early bedtimes and early rising in 3-year-old children. Additionally, the study found that the temporary closure due to COVID-19 has affected children's digital media use. The free descriptions provided by parents and guardians revealed that children engage in various activities such as taking pictures and videos, creating animations, singing and dancing, and using digital media for learning English and other subjects.

Free Research Field

幼児教育

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究は，デジタルメディアが乳幼児に与える影響についての研究は少ない中で，（１）横断研究では限界があるが，本研究は２波のパネル調査で因果関係を推定した点，（２）インターネット調査やインタビュー調査など、質的研究と量的研究の両方のアプローチで幼児のデジタルメディア利用の依存傾向と生活習慣との関係を明らかにしたところに意義があると考える。