A qualitative study examining household context and parental perspectives on preschoolers’ digital media use guidelines

BACKGROUND: Evidence suggests that the uptake of pediatric guidelines for screen use is generally low, which highlights a need to better understand the familial factors shaping children’s digital media use. This study aimed to explore parents’ perspectives regarding digital media use guidelines, including the factors that influence adherence to recommendations. METHODS: Semi-structured interviews with 28 parents of young children were analyzed using thematic analysis. Purposive and snowball sampling were employed to recruit parents through notices posted at grocery stores, libraries, preschools, and a university database. RESULTS: Three overarching themes emerged: (1) influences and variations on digital media use in families; (2) views regarding guidelines; and (3) recommendations for disseminating and improving uptake of guidelines. Sub-themes included parental attitudes, family context, child characteristics, lack of information, parenting stress, and knowledge dissemination strategies. CONCLUSIONS: Parental views regarding guidelines are shaped by personal attitudes, family context, child characteristics, availability of information, and societal influences. Recommendations include highlighting the developmental impacts on children, the effects of different types of screen activities, and strategies for limiting digital media use. Dissemination of information should use a multi-faceted approach that involves different sectors such as health and education, providing follow-up assessments, and building supportive environments.