Parenting a Toddler in the Era of Pervasive Screens: Interviews with Low-Income Mexican American Parents

Thompson, Darcy A.; Jimenez-Zambrano, Andrea M.; Ringwood, Haley; Tschann, Jeanne M.; Clark, Lauren

doi:10.3390/ijerph20085461

Open AccessArticle

Parenting a Toddler in the Era of Pervasive Screens: Interviews with Low-Income Mexican American Parents

by

Darcy A. Thompson

^1,2,*,

Andrea M. Jimenez-Zambrano

^1,2,

Haley Ringwood

^3,4,

Jeanne M. Tschann

⁵ and

Lauren Clark

⁶

¹

Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, 12631 East 17th Ave., Aurora, CO 80045, USA

²

Adult and Child Center for Health Outcomes Research and Delivery Science, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, 1890 N Revere Ct, Aurora, CO 80045, USA

³

Denver Health and Hospital Authority, 777 Bannock Street, Denver, CO 80204, USA

⁴

Department of Family Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, 12631 East 17th Ave., Aurora, CO 80045, USA

⁵

Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California at San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA

⁶

School of Nursing, University of California, 700 Tiverton Avenue, Factor Building, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA

^*

Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(8), 5461; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20085461

Submission received: 13 January 2023 / Revised: 10 March 2023 / Accepted: 16 March 2023 / Published: 11 April 2023

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Abstract

Screen media use starts in early childhood, despite recommendations to limit use. This study explored low-income Mexican American mothers’ and fathers’ beliefs, parenting practices, and perceived contextual contributors related to toddler screen use. We conducted interviews with 32 low-income Mexican American parents. Transcripts of audio recordings were analyzed to identify themes. Parents perceived numerous benefits to screen use, including learning and enjoyment, as well as seeing it as a helpful tool for parents. Reported risks included harmful mental and physical effects and a risk of use being all-consuming. Parents managed screen use with a variety of practices, including giving close attention to content, monitoring duration, and engaging in co-use. They also used screens for behavior management and in specific situations, such as to prepare for sleep. Some differences in beliefs and parenting practices exist by screen device type. Parents also reported that contextual factors, such as weather and neighborhood safety, influenced screen use. This study extends the current literature regarding child screen use, with its focus on low-income Mexican American toddlers. The findings offer interventionists and providers insight into the management of screens in the lives of this population.

Keywords: parenting; screen time; digital media; health disparities; qualitative; Latino; Hispanic; behavior management; beliefs; monitoring

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MDPI and ACS Style

Thompson, D.A.; Jimenez-Zambrano, A.M.; Ringwood, H.; Tschann, J.M.; Clark, L. Parenting a Toddler in the Era of Pervasive Screens: Interviews with Low-Income Mexican American Parents. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20, 5461. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20085461

AMA Style

Thompson DA, Jimenez-Zambrano AM, Ringwood H, Tschann JM, Clark L. Parenting a Toddler in the Era of Pervasive Screens: Interviews with Low-Income Mexican American Parents. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2023; 20(8):5461. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20085461

Chicago/Turabian Style

Thompson, Darcy A., Andrea M. Jimenez-Zambrano, Haley Ringwood, Jeanne M. Tschann, and Lauren Clark. 2023. "Parenting a Toddler in the Era of Pervasive Screens: Interviews with Low-Income Mexican American Parents" International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 20, no. 8: 5461. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20085461

APA Style

Thompson, D. A., Jimenez-Zambrano, A. M., Ringwood, H., Tschann, J. M., & Clark, L. (2023). Parenting a Toddler in the Era of Pervasive Screens: Interviews with Low-Income Mexican American Parents. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 20(8), 5461. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20085461

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Parenting a Toddler in the Era of Pervasive Screens: Interviews with Low-Income Mexican American Parents

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