Parent's perception of children's socialisation during middle childhood: the effects of smartphone usage on urban children

Abstract

Children start the rapid acquisition of their social skills and go through emotional development during a period called middle childhood, which ranges from 6-8 years (CDC, 2021). At this age they start paying more attention to friendships and learn to work with people as teams which enables them to make connections and builds their confidence. If they hardly go out or socialise with their peers during this crucial period, then this can be very damaging for their socio-emotional development and their skills of self-expression. So instead of socialising, if children bury themselves behind smartphones, which is the prime leisure activity for most children at this day and age, it can be very harmful for their socioemotional development. Not only that but smartphone addiction can also cause degradation of the brain and create other development hindrances as well. Research has shown that this addiction is especially prevalent in urban school going children. The prevalence among children in their middle childhood, not quite thoroughly researched. In such cases parents are the only ones who are the closest to them and can regulate their smartphone usage hours and style. They are the ones who need to be the most involved in their children’s lives and prevent any addiction from occurring.