Screens are everywhere. Tablets and smartphones have become as common in many homes as crayons and storybooks. For parents of preschoolers, the question is no longer if their child will encounter digital devices, but how, when, and for how long. A new study from Malaysia, published in the Malaysian Journal of Public Health Medicine, lifts the curtain on what parents really think about young children’s screen time, revealing a community feeling both excited and uneasy about this modern reality.

The research, conducted in Kota Setar, Kedah just before the pandemic swept across the world, surveyed 145 parents with children in local kindergartens. These parents answered a comprehensive set of questions about their attitudes, concerns, and hopes regarding digital device use by their preschool-aged children. The results are enlightening, sometimes surprising, and always thought-provoking.

A Nation of Screen Users

Malaysia’s embrace of technology is striking. According to national data referenced by experts in the field, nearly every preschool child in the country has access to a digital device. Most of these devices belong to parents, yet they often end up in the small hands of three to six-year-olds. This is not unique to Malaysia. Around the globe, digital devices are transforming childhood at a pace that leaves many parents playing catch-up.

Divided Views: Harmful or Helpful?

The study’s headline finding is that parental opinion is split almost exactly into thirds. About a third of parents believe digital devices do more good than harm for young children. Another third see more danger than benefit. The final third simply are not sure.

This even split is rare in social science research. Usually, there’s a clear majority viewpoint. Here, the uncertainty itself is telling. It speaks to the rapid change society faces and to the lack of clear-cut answers when it comes to technology and child development.

What Worries Parents Most?

Risks loom large in the minds of many mothers and fathers. The biggest concern is physical health, especially eye damage. An overwhelming 90 percent of parents worry about their child’s vision being harmed by too much screen time. This aligns with warnings from health authorities worldwide. Staring at screens for extended periods can cause eye strain, dryness, and potentially affect sight over time.

Addiction is the next major worry. More than eight out of ten parents fear their child could become hooked on digital play. The term “addiction” here does not only mean dependency in a clinical sense. It covers a spectrum of behaviours — from tantrums when devices are taken away to an inability to enjoy screen-free activities.

Intellectual risks also feature prominently. Many parents link excessive device use with poor attention spans or delayed learning of basic skills like speaking or problem-solving.

What Do Parents See as the Benefits?

Despite these anxieties, many parents see clear positives. About two-thirds say that digital devices help their children become more aware of technology. In a world where digital literacy is as important as reading or counting, this is no small matter.

Interactive learning is another major benefit identified by parents. Touchscreen devices can turn lessons into games. Educational apps can teach numbers, letters, or even social skills in ways that traditional books cannot always match. Some parents point out that their children seem more engaged or curious when learning through interactive digital content.

Creativity gets a nod as well. Drawing apps, music programmes, and storytelling tools provide ways for children to express themselves beyond paper and crayons.

A Surprising Twist: Work Status Matters

Researchers uncovered an intriguing link between employment and how parents view screens. Those who work outside the home are more likely to see digital devices as beneficial compared to parents who are unemployed or stay at home full-time.

Why might this be? Experts suggest that working parents may rely on screens as a practical way to keep children occupied during busy times. They might also be more exposed to technology themselves and see its benefits first-hand. In contrast, non-working parents may spend more time supervising their children directly and thus feel warier about handing over control to a device.

What Does This Mean for Families?

For parents everywhere, these findings resonate deeply. Screens are not going away. Instead, families must learn how to manage them wisely.

Experts recommend setting clear limits on daily use for preschool-aged children. The World Health Organisation suggests no more than one hour per day of high-quality content for children aged two to five years old. Quality matters just as much as quantity. Not all screen time is equal; watching cartoons passively is not the same as exploring an educational app with parental guidance.

It also helps to create “screen-free” zones or times — perhaps at meals or just before bedtime — so children learn to value conversation and rest as much as digital play.

Parents are encouraged to get involved in their child’s device use whenever possible. Co-viewing programmes or playing together on apps allows adults to model healthy habits and explain what children see on screen.

Ensuring breaks during screen time also helps prevent eye strain and keeps children active. Simple routines like looking away from the screen every twenty minutes or encouraging regular movement can make a big difference.

The Quality Question

One message rings loud and clear from this research: not all digital content is created equal. Choosing age-appropriate, educational material can transform a device from a simple distraction into a powerful learning tool.

Researchers urge parents to evaluate apps before handing them over to children. Look for those developed with input from educators or child development specialists. Avoid apps riddled with advertisements or those designed mainly for passive consumption.

Limitations: What We Still Don’t Know

No study is perfect. This research focused on one district in Malaysia; results might look different elsewhere due to cultural or social factors. The study also captured only one moment in time — before global events like the COVID-19 pandemic led many families to rely even more heavily on screens for learning and connection.

Surveys relied on parents’ own reports; some may understate or exaggerate their concerns based on what they think researchers want to hear.

Yet despite these limitations, the study paints a vivid picture of modern family life in a digital world.

Moving Forward: Advice for Parents

The experts behind this research do not advocate banning screens entirely for preschoolers. Instead, they call for balance. Digital devices can be allies when used thoughtfully but should never replace physical play, outdoor exploration, or face-to-face bonding.

For families struggling with uncertainty — which, as the study shows, is most families — seeking up-to-date advice from paediatricians, teachers or trusted health sources is wise.

As technology continues to evolve, so too must our understanding of what it means for young minds. Ongoing research will be essential to guide future recommendations and reassure anxious parents.

Why This Matters

This study matters because it captures the tension felt by millions of parents worldwide: wanting their children to thrive in a digital future while worrying about very real risks today.

It challenges families not to fall for scare stories or marketing hype but instead to take an active role in shaping their child’s relationship with technology.

Screens are now part of childhood’s toolkit — not the whole toolbox, but certainly an ever-present piece. With informed choices and open conversation, families can ensure that technology remains a friend rather than a foe in their children’s early years.

Reference: Tanusha, N., Leelavathi, M., & Azimah, N. M. (2023). Parent’s perception of digital device use among their preschool children and its associated factors in Kota Setar, Kedah. The Medical Journal of Malaysia, 78(6), 763-767.