The excessive use of digital technology and its repercussions on children A field study of a sample of parents of primary school students

Abstract

Objectives: The research aims to identify the excessive use of digital technology on children in primary school from the standpoint of parents.

Methods: In order to achieve research objectives the researcher used survey approach, which belongs to the kind of descriptive research. The research sample consisted of 153 selected parents' samples from the teachers at the center of Ramadi city in Anbar governorate, and who had children who use the digital technology and whose age ranged between (7-12) years old and who were enrolled in primary schools in the city of Ramadi. A questionnaire form was applied, which included five main areas: the first one concerned demographic data for  parents and children enrolled in primary school; the second one involved patterns and habits of exposure to digital technology; and the third one contained negative consequences of the child ' s relationship with digital technology. The forth one included the positive effects of children using digital technology. The fifth one involved censorship of digital content and freedom of use .

Results: One of the most important results: The most prominent type of digital technology that children prefer to use is mobile broadcasting.

The results of the study also showed that the time taken by children to use digital technology exceeded three hours or more and it also showed that children's use of digital technology has many negative aspects in terms of health, social, behavioral, psychological, mental, pedagogical and educational aspects. It also has many positives for developing innovative digital skills, such as programming, access to information, educational resources, and joy.

Conclusion: The study concluded that the excessive use of digital technology from the point of view of the parents of children has many negative and positive implications at the same time.