Research Article

DIGITAL PARENTING: THE ROLE OF PARENTAL MEDIATION IN CHILDREN'S SCREEN TIME AND COGNITIVE DEVELOPMENT

AMINU ABDULLAHI ABBAS1*, LARABA SAMUEL BABA2
1 Department of Psychology Nigeria Police Academy, Wudil, Kano State
2 Department of Psychology Nasarawa State University, Keffi
* Corresponding author: abbasloko2@gmail.com
Published: Jan, 2025
DOI: 10.67862/hjjgs.2025.cjes2bnf
Pages: 110-117

Abstract

In today's digital age, children are increasingly exposed to screen-based technologies that can influence their cognitive development both positively and negatively. This study explores the role of parental mediation in managing children's screen time and its perceived impact on cognitive functions such as attention, memory, and language development. Adopting a qualitative, phenomenological research design, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 15 parents of children aged 4 to 12 in Keffi, Nasarawa State, Nigeria. The thematic analysis revealed four major themes: patterns of screen time usage, parental mediation strategies, perceived cognitive outcomes, and barriers to effective mediation. Findings indicate that active mediation characterized by discussion, co-viewing, and guidance was associated with enhanced vocabulary, improved recall, and greater focus. Conversely, passive or unregulated screen time was linked to reduced attention span and difficulty concentrating. Parents also reported challenges such as digital illiteracy, fatigue, and peer influence that limited their ability to monitor screen use effectively. The study highlights the need for targeted digital literacy programs, culturally relevant parenting support, and policy initiatives that emphasize the cognitive implications of screen exposure. These findings underscore the critical role of informed parental involvement in optimizing children's cognitive development in a media-saturated environment.

Keywords

digital parenting children screen time cognitive development

References

  1. Abubakar, A., van de Vijver, F. J. R., & Arasa, J. (2022). Parenting in the digital era: Challenges in African settings. Child Indicators Research, 15(2), 485–503.
  2. Blum-Ross, A., & Livingstone, S. (2018). The trouble with "screen time" rules. Nordicom Review, 39 (Special Issue 2), 129–143. https://doi.org/10.2478/nor-2018-0011
  3. Bronfenbrenner, U. (1979). The ecology of human development: Experiments by nature and design. Harvard University Press.
  4. Chaudron, S., Di Gioia, R., & Gemo, M. (2015). Young children (0–8) and digital technology: A qualitative exploratory study across seven countries. JRC Scientific and Technical Reports.
  5. Chaudron, S., Di Gioia, R., & Gemo, M. (2022). Young children and digital technology: What do we know and what should we do? European Commission Joint Research Centre Report.
  6. Christakis, D. A., Ramirez, J. S. B., Ferguson, S. M., Ravinder, S., & Ramirez, J. M. (2018). How early media exposure may affect cognitive function: A review of results from observations in humans and experiments in mice. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 115(40), 9851–9858.
  7. Domoff, S. E., Radesky, J. S., Harrison, K., & Lumeng, J. C. (2020). Screen media exposure and children's executive functioning and self-regulation. Journal of Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics, 41(1), 1–8.
  8. Li, X., Xu, Y., Zhou, H., & Huo, L. (2021). Attachment security and screen media use among Chinese preschoolers: The mediating role of emotional self-regulation. Early Child Development and Care, 191(12), 1863–1874.
  9. Linebarger, D. L., & Vaala, S. E. (2010). Screen media and language development in infants and toddlers: An ecological perspective. Developmental Review, 30(2), 176–202.
  10. Livingstone, S., Mascheroni, G., & Staksrud, E. (2017). European research on children's internet use: Assessing the past and anticipating the future. New Media & Society, 20(3), 1103–1122.
  11. Madigan, S., McArthur, B. A., Anhorn, C., Eirich, R., & Christakis, D. A. (2020). Associations between screen use and children's language skills: A meta-analysis. JAMA Pediatrics, 174(7), 665–675.
  12. McArthur, B. A., Volkova, V., Tomopoulos, S., & Madigan, S. (2021). Screen use and cognitive development in early childhood: A review of the literature. Pediatrics, 147(4), e2020010812.
  13. McDaniel, B. T., & Radesky, J. S. (2020). Technoference: Longitudinal associations between parent technology use, parenting stress, and child behavior problems. Pediatric Research, 87(2), 341–348.
  14. Nathanson, A. I. (1999). Identifying and explaining the relationship between parental mediation and children's aggression. Communication Research, 26(2), 124–143.
  15. Nathanson, A. I. (2001). Mediation of children's television viewing: Working toward conceptual clarity and common understanding. Annals of the International Communication Association, 25(1), 115–151.
  16. Nikken, P., & Schols, M. (2015). How and why parents guide the media use of young children. Journal of Child and Family Studies, 24(11), 3423–3435.
  17. Nikken, P., & Schols, M. (2020). How and why parents guide the media use of young children. Journal of Child and Family Studies, 29(3), 883–897.
  18. Okeke, C. I. O., & Adebayo, O. S. (2021). Digital parenting and early childhood care: Lessons from African family settings. Childhood Education, 97(2), 48–55.
  19. Sweller, J. (1988). Cognitive load during problem solving: Effects on learning. Cognitive Science, 12(2), 257–285.
  20. Valkenburg, P. M., Krcmar, M., Peeters, A. L., & Marseille, N. M. (1999). Developing a scale to assess three styles of television mediation: "Instructive mediation," "restrictive mediation," and "social coviewing." Journal of Broadcasting & Electronic Media, 43(1), 52–66.
  21. Valkenburg, P. M., Piotrowski, J. T., Hermanns, J., & de Leeuw, R. (2021). Developing a scale to assess parental media mediation strategies. Communication Research, 48(5), 609–634.
  22. Vygotsky, L. S. (1978). Mind in society: The development of higher psychological processes. Harvard University Press.
How to Cite

ABBAS, A. A., & BABA, L. S. (2025). DIGITAL PARENTING: THE ROLE OF PARENTAL MEDIATION IN CHILDREN'S SCREEN TIME AND COGNITIVE DEVELOPMENT. Humanity - Jos Journal Of General Studies, 16(1), 110-117. https://doi.org/10.67862/hjjgs.2025.cjes2bnf

A. A. ABBAS, and L. S. BABA, "DIGITAL PARENTING: THE ROLE OF PARENTAL MEDIATION IN CHILDREN'S SCREEN TIME AND COGNITIVE DEVELOPMENT," Humanity - Jos Journal Of General Studies, vol. 16, no. 1, pp. 110-117, January 2025. doi: 10.67862/hjjgs.2025.cjes2bnf

Share this article:
Facebook X / Twitter LinkedIn
Download PDF View Full Text (PDF) Back to Articles