Ouderkenmerken in relatie tot het inzetten van media als oppas

Abstract

In the present era media is everywhere, the variety of devices to enter media are enormous. It is unthinkable that children will grow up without any influences of media. It is suggested that too much use of media can lead to different effects such as behavioural problems. There is an issue regarding lack of exercise, however it is reported that there could also be a gain of knowledge and skills about technology, language and maths. As a result of the wide range of media, children’s interest and use of media, parents can easily use this resource as a babysitter for children. When parents do their chores it can be a way of occupying the children. The current study examined 301 parents to analyse the relationship between parent characteristics and the use of media as a babysitter for children; age range four to twelve. Parenting characteristics that where analysed by a digital questionnaire, were positive attitudes of the parent against media; age of the parent, education of the parent and the amount of working hours of the parent. Results revealed that there is a relationship between positive attitudes against media and using media as a babysitter. The amount of hours, education and the age of the parent has no significant relationship with using media as a babysitter. Furthermore, covariates that are used in this study (age of the child and parenting stress) show more relation with using media as a babysitter. Parental characteristics showed no significant relationship with the use of media as a babysitter. Research suggests that characteristics in the child itself are probably more determent to predict the use of media as a babysitter.