Ricerca
Tecnologie digitali e bambini:
un’indagine sul loro utilizzo nei primi anni di vita
Digital technologies and young children:
a survey on their use in yhe first years of life
Valeria Balbinot1, Giacomo Toffol2, Giorgio Tamburlini1
con la collaborazione di PUMP e ACP
1Centro per la Salute del Bambino onlus, Trieste
2Pediatra di famiglia, Asolo (Treviso)
Dicembre 2016 - pagg. 631 -636
Abstract
Studies on the health implications of the use of digital technologies (DTs) by children justify
some concern and point to the need of providing parents with appropriate information
and advice. To collect data on knowledge attitude and practices of Italian parents regarding
the use of DTs by their young children, a survey was conducted through a questionnaire
administered to parents through two different channels: family paediatricians and
social networks and websites. Respondents were 604 parents belonging to the first group
and 745 to the second. Results show that: a) 30% of parents use DTs to keep their kids calmbefore
their child’s first birthday and over 50% before their child’s second birthday; b) both
the proportion of children using TDs and the duration of utilization increase rapidly over
the first 3 years. These patterns are observed inspite of widespread, although partial,
concerns about the risks connected with early use of DTs. Cautious restricted use is more
likely to be observed in parents belonging to the second group and is associated with higher
educational level. The findings of the survey, the first one to address use of TDs in young
children in Italy and among the few reported internationally, indicate that health professionals,
as well as educators and the media, should start providing information and advice
on TDs much sooner, namely since the first months after birth.
Parole chiave
Classificazione MeSH
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Corrispondenza: valeria.balbinot@csbonlus.org