Association between Digital Parenting Behaviors and Technology Addiction in 24-to 36-Month-Old Children: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Purpose: This study aimed to examine the association between digital parenting behaviors and technology addiction in children aged 24-36 months and to identify parental strategies associated with lower levels of technology addiction. Design and methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in 2024 with 275 volunteer mothers of children aged 2-3 years. Data were collected using a personal information form, the Technology Addiction Scale, and the Digital Parenting Behavior Scale. Results: The results showed that the mean age of the mothers was 30.69 +/- 4.93 years; 59.3% of them stated that their daily screen time was 2-3 h, except at work. The technology addiction level among children was moderate, whereas mothers had high-level parenting skills. Mothers' high education level (p = 0.003), children's shortterm exposure to screens (p < 0.001), and use of digital devices for educational purposes (p <0.001) positively impacted the reduction of technology addiction. Technical precaution (beta = -0.21, p = 0.031) and controlled use of digital devices (beta = -0.25, p = 0.032), as digital parenting behaviors, were the negative predictors of technology addiction in children. Conclusion: It was concluded that risk factors should be evaluated, digital parenting behaviors should be improved, and family-oriented multidisciplinary intervention programs should be organized to prevent technology addiction in young children. Practice implications: Enhancing mothers' digital parenting behaviors-such as taking technical precautions and ensuring controlled use of digital devices-may effectively reduce technology addiction risk in young children. (c) 2026 Elsevier Inc. All rights are reserved, including those for text and data mining, AI training, and similar technologies.