Digital Technology Usage in Early Childhood: A Comparative Study of Omani and Emirati Children and Parents

This study aimed to examine the digital lifestyles of children in their home environments, as perceived by their parents. Using a mixed-methods research approach, the study was guided by the Ecological Techno-Microsystem framework. The research included a total of 590 kindergarten children and their parents from Oman and the United Arab Emirates. The findings revealed that children in both countries live in digitally rich home environments, as evidenced by the high number of digital devices available to them. While most children spend less than one hour per day watching television in the living room, a significant number of their parents reported simultaneously using tablets or computers. The research also found significant differences between Omani and Emirati parents’ approaches to digital mediation. Omani parents reported using both restrictive and co-viewing strategies more frequently, while Emirati parents showed a higher tendency for non-restrictive or laissez-faire mediation. These findings emphasize that familial context and the home environment are critical factors in understanding and supporting young children’s digital use.