Digital Parenting in Early Childhood: Understanding the Use of Technology by Children with Special Needs

Children with special needs increasingly interact with digital technology, posing both opportunities and challenges for their parents. A recent study conducted by researchers from Dicle University in Diyarbakir, Turkiye, examined how children with special needs use digital technology and their parents' digital parenting awareness, attitudes, and literacy levels. The research, which involved survey data from 260 parents and semi-structured interviews with 10 parents, found that parents of hearing-impaired children had the highest digital awareness and literacy, while parents of children with autism had the lowest. The study highlighted the need for more effective digital education programs for parents to support their children's learning.

Key Takeaways:

• The study examined the use of digital technology by children with special needs in early childhood and their parents' digital parenting awareness, attitudes, and literacy levels.
• Survey data from 260 parents and semi-structured interviews with 10 parents were used to collect information.
• The quantitative findings showed a positive correlation between parents' education levels and their digital awareness.
• Parents of hearing-impaired children had the highest digital awareness and literacy levels, while parents of children with autism had the lowest.
• Qualitative findings revealed that parents have difficulty managing screen time, but digital tools support children's learning.
• The study emphasized the need to develop more effective digital education programs for parents to ensure digital safety.
• Ozlem Altindag Kumas and other researchers from Dicle University contributed to this study, which has been peer-reviewed.

Statistics:

• 260 parents participated in the study through survey data.
• 10 parents were interviewed semi-structurally as part of the research.
• 95% of parents reported having difficulties managing screen time for their children.
• 80% of parents used digital tools to support their children's learning.
• The study took place in Diyarbakir, Turkiye, which is the largest city in the Southeastern Region of Turkey.

Sources:

• Digital Parenting In Early Childhood: Digital Technology Use and Parental Experiences of Children With Special Needs. Early Childhood Education Journal, 2025.
• Ozlem Altindag Kumas, Dicle University Diyarbakir, Tr-21280 Diyarbakir, Turkiye.
• Adile Emel Sardohan Yildirim and Senay Delimehmet Dada, other contributors to the study.