Reflections from Technology Usage: Parental Views on Values That Are Degenerated by the Use of Technology

Abstract

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of children’s technology use on values and how this intensive use is reflected in human relations by the children, who are living together with the technology and therefore directly exposed to the effects of technology. The research has been based on the use of common information technologies such as computers, tablets, smartphones and the Internet. Semi-structured interview form was implemented by the researchers in this study which is designed with a qualitative method. While the interview form was being prepared, opinions were taken from the relevant field experts to generate the final form. 11 parents were interviewed in this study. Qualitative data collected from participants were analysed by content analysis method. Research findings suggest that the majority of parents think that technology has adverse effects on children's attainment of social-cultural values. Parents have stated that technology mostly corrupts the value of sharing in children. Furthermore, according to parents, the content provided by technology should also include values to protect and sustain them.