Problematic media use in early childhood: The role of parent-child relationships and parental wellbeing in families in New Zealand and the United States

Problematic media use (PMU) during early childhood has the potential to interfere with the healthy functioning of family systems and may be associated with significant long-term problems for the child. However, we know very little about what contributes to early childhood PMU, particularly in the family context. We examine parenting factors as correlates of child PMU in two studies, from two different countries, using two different methods. Study 1 (N = 93, Mage = 45.3 months, SD = 10.15, 58% males, 87% mothers) investigated the concurrent role of self-reported parental burnout and parent-child conflict and closeness as correlates of child PMU in an early childhood sample in New Zealand. Study 2 (N = 269, Mage = 41.17 months, SD = 3.06 months, 49% males, 95% mothers) investigated observed parental warmth and harsh criticism as predictors of concurrent and longitudinal PMU in an early childhood sample in the United States. Together, findings showed that in both countries approximately 22-25% of young children show symptoms of PMU. After controlling for parent's PMU, parent-child conflict, warmth and parental burnout were not associated with child PMU. Low levels of parent-child closeness and parent's use of harsh criticism were predictive of child PMU. The findings advance our understanding of some of the parenting factors that influence the development of PMU in young children. IMPACT SUMMARYPrior State of KnowledgeRelatively little is known about problematic media use (PMU) during early childhood. Exposure and use of media during early childhood occurs largely within the home environment making the family context an important risk or protective factor of children's PMU.Novel ContributionsThis manuscript reports the findings from two different countries (New Zealand and the United States), using two different methods (concurrent, longitudinal; survey, observation) to reveal the prevalence of PMU and the impact of parent-child relationships and parental well-being on PMU.Practical ImplicationsExisting intervention programs aimed at preventing PMU typically focus on educating parents about the effects of media and strategies for managing children's media use. Our findings suggest parent-child relationship factors should also be embedded in these programs.