THE INFLUENCE OF A MINIMAL INTERNET ENVIRONMENT ON THE EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT OF EARLY CHILDHOOD DIGITAL DEVICE USERS

Toyyibatut Thowilah; Amirul Mukminin; Zahra Hudaibiyah

Authors

Toyyibatut Thowilah Universitas Islam Zainul Hasan Genggong Probolinggo (67282), Indonesia
Amirul Mukminin Fakultas Tarbiyah, Universitas Ibrahimy Situbondo (68374), Indonesia
Zahra Hudaibiyah University of Ez-Zitouna, Tunis (1008), Tunisia

Keywords:

Early Childhood, Emotional Development, Digital Environment, Gadget Use, Internet

Abstract

This study aims to analyze the impact of an environment without internet access on the emotional development of early childhood children who are accustomed to using digital devices. The focus of this research is children aged 4–6 years with a relatively high intensity of gadget use who are subsequently exposed to an environment with limited internet access. This study employs a qualitative approach using a library research design. Data were obtained through a review of various relevant literature sources, including books, scholarly journal articles, and previous studies related to early childhood emotional development, gadget use, and the impact of digital environments on children’s psychology. Data collection was conducted through documentation techniques, while data analysis utilized content analysis methods, involving data reduction, classification, interpretation, and conclusion drawing. The results indicate that, in the initial stage, children exhibit negative emotional responses such as frustration, boredom, and tantrums due to reduced access to digital media. However, over time, children demonstrate positive developmental changes, including increased social interaction, greater engagement in creative play activities, and improved emotional regulation. This study concludes that an environment without internet access can have a positive impact on children’s emotional development, particularly when supported by parental guidance and the provision of constructive alternative activities. Therefore, a balance between digital technology use and social interaction is essential in early childhood parenting.

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