An Exploration of Parent's Decisions to Give Kids Smart Phones and Manage Use
Disciplines
Communication Technology and New Media
Abstract (300 words maximum)
Smartphones have become a central part of daily life for kids, with most parents providing phones to their children by 6th grade. This study explores the different reasons that motivate both the regulation and distribution of smartphones. Parents with children ages 9-14 were recruited and interviewed through semi-structured in-depth interviews, which were coded for themes using grounded theory. We conducted 10 one-hour interviews in-person and virtually over the course of a three-week period. The interviews were transcribed and all identifying information was removed. Five themes emerged from the transcribed data, including: (1). Safety and privacy both online and in-person; (2) Effects on children and family dynamics; (3) Factors influencing the age of phone attainment such as peer pressure or perceived necessity; (4) Challenges for parents with locus of control and maintaining relationship with the child; and (5) Types of regulation styles. We found that parental discretion was based on security such as having a digital footprint, location monitoring, and staying reachable despite school regulations. Some parents embraced more regulation, such as contracts and rules prior to the device being given versus others who expressed that they quit monitoring after their children found ways around their restrictive methods. Themes indicated girls had higher rates of anxiety compared to boys post phone use. Furthermore, parental ideals and beliefs influenced regulation style. Our research raised discussions about limits on regulations such as what age to stop and parenting philosophies around privacy. Additionally, our study explored generational anxiety regarding tracking and social media influence. Unlike other studies in the field, this study focused solely on the factors leading to regulation and phone distribution, adding valuable information to a quickly evolving cultural landscape around smartphone use.
Academic department under which the project should be listed
RCHSS - Communication & Media
Primary Investigator (PI) Name
Mackenzie Cato
An Exploration of Parent's Decisions to Give Kids Smart Phones and Manage Use
Smartphones have become a central part of daily life for kids, with most parents providing phones to their children by 6th grade. This study explores the different reasons that motivate both the regulation and distribution of smartphones. Parents with children ages 9-14 were recruited and interviewed through semi-structured in-depth interviews, which were coded for themes using grounded theory. We conducted 10 one-hour interviews in-person and virtually over the course of a three-week period. The interviews were transcribed and all identifying information was removed. Five themes emerged from the transcribed data, including: (1). Safety and privacy both online and in-person; (2) Effects on children and family dynamics; (3) Factors influencing the age of phone attainment such as peer pressure or perceived necessity; (4) Challenges for parents with locus of control and maintaining relationship with the child; and (5) Types of regulation styles. We found that parental discretion was based on security such as having a digital footprint, location monitoring, and staying reachable despite school regulations. Some parents embraced more regulation, such as contracts and rules prior to the device being given versus others who expressed that they quit monitoring after their children found ways around their restrictive methods. Themes indicated girls had higher rates of anxiety compared to boys post phone use. Furthermore, parental ideals and beliefs influenced regulation style. Our research raised discussions about limits on regulations such as what age to stop and parenting philosophies around privacy. Additionally, our study explored generational anxiety regarding tracking and social media influence. Unlike other studies in the field, this study focused solely on the factors leading to regulation and phone distribution, adding valuable information to a quickly evolving cultural landscape around smartphone use.