The Effect of Digital Awareness Level of Parents with Cochlear Implant Child on Language Development of the Child

Abstract

In the digital age we are in, parents or caregivers who are responsible for raising an individual can be called digital parents. Because digital technology has become an important part of almost all of our lives. In the definition of digital parenting, the concept of “digital” refers to all kinds of electronic devices used for purposes such as play, social interaction, entertainment, research, and spending time. Excessive media use causes speech and language disorders in children. The education and implant control of children with cochlear implants depends on the parents. Accordingly, it is important that parents of children with cochlear implants have a high level of digital awareness. The aim of this study is to determine the digital awareness of parents of children with cochlear implants and to find out the effect of their digital awareness on language development. The sample of this study consisted of 36 cochlear implant children aged 4-8 years and their parents. Demographic information of the children and parents were obtained with a personal information form. Children's language development was measured with the Turkish Early Language Development Test (TEDIL). Parents’ digital awareness was measured with the digital parental awareness scale. In our study, the scores of the scale of productive use, digital neglect, negative modeling and protection from risks made to parents show statistically significant differences according to the groups. The digital parental awareness scale scores of mothers were higher than those of fathers. Children of parents with high digital awareness have higher language development test scores. As a result, it was determined that there is a significant relationship between parents' digital awareness and child language development.