Examination of the relationship between technology use of 5–6 year-old children and their social skills and social status

Abstract

The primary objective of this study is to determine the predictive effect of technology use durations of 5–6 year-old children on their social skill levels and social status. In this study, children’s technology usage is restricted to the use of television, portable computers, tablets and smartphones. The sample group of the study consisted of 162 children aged 5 and 6 years old who are actively enrolled in seven kindergartens. The data required for the study were obtained from children, parents and teachers. The ‘Determination of Use of Technology by Children–Parent Form’, the ‘Social Skills Evaluation Scale’, ‘The Picture Sociometry Scale’ and ‘The Personal Information Form’ were used. The results revealed that the use of mobile technologies had no predictive effect on the social skill level, whereas, some mobile devices have predictive effects on the social preference and social impact. © 2016 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.