Investigating Digital Technology Usage of Preschool and Primary School Students

Abstract

The objective of this study is to delineate the extent of information and communication
technologies utilization by children in the preschool and elementary school students and parents.
The research scrutinizes variables such as gender, age, grade level, family educational
background, income level, and number of children, in addition to the level of education and
technology usage patterns. The investigation was conducted following a cross-sectional survey
method, which is one of the quantitative research methodologies. The sample group for the study
comprises 400 preschool children attending four kindergartens and one elementary school in the
central district of Kırşehir, and 407 students from grades 1 through 4 of elementary school, along
with their 805 parents. Findings from the research indicate that students demonstrate high levels
of technology usage and inhabit an environment rich in technology. The data shows that children
spend considerable time with television, a pervasive technological tool, while their engagement
with computers is minimal in comparison. This study, while analyzing the technology usage
levels of preschool and primary school students and the variations of this usage based on various
factors, also presents a broad framework for future research, emphasizing the necessity for more
research on parental attitudes and technology usage of children in different types of education.