This study examined the media usage levels of 345 mothers of preschool children in Çankırı, Turkey. The mothers were surveyed using forms to gather general information and assess their use of television, computers/tablets, mobile phones, newspapers, and magazines. The results showed that most mothers have 1 TV, watch 1-2 hours of TV per day, use computers/tablets for 1-2 hours daily, spend 1-2 hours per day on their mobile phones, and do not regularly read newspapers or magazines. Based on these findings, the researchers recommend providing mothers with training on proper media use and its effects on children and parents.

1. EXAMINING THE LEVELS
OF THE MOTHERS USETHE
MEDIA TOOLS
Prof. Dr. Neriman ARAL
Ankara University Faculty of Health Sciences
Department of Child Development
Lecturer Gül KADAN
Çankırı Karatekin University Faculty of Health
Sciences Department of Child Development.
gulkadan@gmail.com.

2. PURPOSE
A number of studies have concluded that children's
excessive use of media tools may lead to obesity (Doub et al.,
2016; Ertunç, 2011; Karaca et al., 2007; Şentürk and Turgut,
2011), emotional, social and behavioral problems (Cesur and
Paker, 2007; Deveci et al., 2008; Snapp et al. 2012), and eye and
joint disorders (Adak-Özdemir and Ramadan, 2012; Christakis et
al. 2004; Hofferth, 2010; Sapsağlam, 2018). All these unfavorable
possibilities are closely related to the attitudes of mothers, who
are the most important role-models for children, to media tools

3. PURPOSE
Taking this as a starting point, the present study aims to
examine the media usage levels of mothers of preschool
children.

4. METHOD
The present study, which was
conducted to determine the media usage
levels of mothers of preschool children,
employed the screening model, which is
one of the quantitative research methods.

5. METHOD
The study enrolled the mothers of children attending the independent
kindergartens affiliated with Çankırı Provincial Directorate of National
Education in the 2017-2018 academic year. After obtaining the necessary
permissions, 345 mothers were surveyed on a voluntary basis.

6. METHOD
Of the mothers included in the study, 40.9% were in
the age range of 31-35, 25.2% 26-30, 23.5% 36-40, and
10.4% 41 and above; 38% were university graduates,
33.6% high school graduates, 15.7% secondary school
graduates, 9% primary school graduates and 3.8% were
postgraduates; 27.8% had a monthly income of TL 1001-
2000, 23.2% TL 2001- 3000, 21.7% TL 4001 and above,
21.2% TL 3001-4000, and 6.1% TL 1000 and below.

7. METHOD
It was also determined that 50.4% had male
children, 49.6% female children. Of the children, 41.4%
were six years old, 17.1% were four years old, and 3.5%
were 3 years old, and 40.9% were enrolled in the
kindergarten for 7-11 months, 35.7% for 17 months and
above, 12.8% for six months, and 10.7% for 12-16
months.

8. General
Information
Form
Media Usage
Level- Mother
Interview Form
METHOD

9. METHOD
General Information Form: It was
prepared by the researchers to determine
the age, educational level, and monthly
incomes of mothers and sex, age and
kindergarten attendance duration of their
children.

10. METHOD
Media Usage Level-Mother Interview Form: This
form was developed by the researchers in order to
determine the media usage levels of mothers and was
finalized with the opinions of the experts (2 professors and
1 associate professor who are experts in the field of child
developments, and 1 professor and 1 associate professor
who are experts in the field of measurement and
evaluation). The form includes questions that determine
mothers' levels of using television, mobile phones, tablets,
computers, newspapers and magazines.

11. METHOD
The answers were analyzed as
frequencies and percentages in SPSS 21
package program using descriptive
statistical technique.

12. FINDINGS

13. DISTRIBUTION OF MEDIA USAGE
LEVELS OF MOTHERS
Features f %
Number of TVs at
home
1
2
3
4 and above
189
114
36
6
54.8
33
10.4
1.7
Hours spent
watching TV
1-2 hours
3-4 hours
5 hours and above
166
135
44
48.1
39.1
12.7
Computer/tablet
usage
Yes
No
212
133
61.4
38.6

14. DISTRIBUTION OF MEDIA USAGE
LEVELS OF MOTHERS
Features f %
Hours spent using
computers/tablets
30 minutes
1-2 hours
3-4 hours
5 hours and above
117
178
32
18
33.9
51.6
9.3
5.2
Hours spent on the
Internet on mobile
phones
Yes
No
322
23
93.3
6.7
Hours spent online
30 minutes
1-2 hours
3-4 hours
5 hours and above
111
138
48
48
32.2
40
13.9
13.9

15. DISTRIBUTION OF MEDIA USAGE
LEVELS OF MOTHERS
Features f %
Newspaper reading
status
Yes
No
82
263
23.8
76.2
Magazine reading
status
Yes
No
41
304
11.9
88.1

16. CONCLUSION AND
RECOMMENDATIONS
The present study, which was conducted to determine
the media usage levels of mothers of preschool children,
concluded that the mothers have one TV, watch TV for
one-two hours a day, use computers/tablets for one-two
hours a day, use the Internet on their mobile phones for
one-two hours a day and do not read newspaper or
magazines every day. Based on the findings of the study,
we may recommend the following:

17. CONCLUSION AND
RECOMMENDATIONS
• Informative training on the correct and
effective use of media tools for
mothers,
• Training on the effects of media tools
on children and parents,
• Studies to develop mother-child
relationship and mother's competence