This study aims to examine the relationship between parental technoference (parents' use of smartphones or other digital devices while spending time with their children) and behavioral and emotional development in early childhood.
The study will include parents of children aged 24 to 60 months who attend a pediatric outpatient clinic. At the beginning of the study, parents will complete an online questionnaire that includes questions about their own smartphone screen time, their child's screen exposure, and standardized questionnaires assessing parental technoference and children's behavioral and emotional characteristics.
Six months after the initial assessment, parents will be contacted again to complete a short follow-up questionnaire, including the behavioral and emotional assessment. The study does not involve any medical intervention or experimental treatment. All participation is voluntary, and responses will be collected anonymously.
The findings of this study are expected to contribute to a better understanding of how parental digital device use during daily interactions may be associated with children's emotional and behavioral development in early childhood.
Who can participate
Age range
24 Months – 60 Months
Sex
ALL
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
Inclusion Criteria:
* Children aged 24 to 60 months.
* Parent or primary caregiver able to read and understand Turkish.
* Parent uses a smartphone and can access device-based screen time information.
* Ability to complete an online questionnaire.
* Provision of written informed consent by the parent or legal guardian.
* Availability for a 6-month follow-up assessment.
Exclusion Criteria:
* Children with severe neurodevelopmental disorders (e.g., autism spectrum disorder, severe intellectual disability, neurometabolic diseases).
* Parents unable to reliably complete questionnaires due to cognitive, psychiatric, or language-related limitations.
* Parents who do not use a smartphone or cannot access screen time data.
* Refusal or inability to provide informed consent.
* Inability to be contacted for follow-up assessment.
Questions worth asking your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.
1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
Questions for the trial coordinator
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.
What they're measuring
1
Child Behavioral and Emotional Difficulties (SDQ Total Difficulties Score)