The Impact of Parents’ Digital Media Literacy and Digital Media Parenting on Young Children’s Overdependence on Smart Devices

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the usage patterns of smart devices among parents and young children and analyze the effects of parental digital media literacy and guidance styles on young children's overdependence on smart devices. Method: Through a survey of 203 parents of infants and toddlers at daycare centers in Gangwon-do, digital media literacy, parents' guidance methods, and dependence on infant smart devices were measured. The collected data were analyzed using SPSS 29.0 for correlation analysis and regression analysis Results: Digital media literacy was not directly correlated with overdependence on smart devices, but it was significantly associated with guidance styles. Controlling guidance styles were found to be effective in reducing overdependence. Conclusion: The findings suggest that actively managing children's media usage and enhancing parents' understanding of digital media can help prevent young children's overdependence on smart devices.