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ABSTRACT

This article reviewed the literature on parental rearing styles and used responses from an online discussion forum to investigate people’s opinions towards parental rearing styles and strategies when children use hand-held devices. Critical discourse analysis (CDA) was used as an analysis method via micro, meso and macro multi-level interpretations. The majority of online responses agree that parents’ positive engagement using an authoritative rearing style play an important role in children’s use of hand-held devices, while authoritarian, permissive and uninvolved rearing styles hindered children’s development. Five positive parenting strategies were promoted by online responses, which included accepting technology, managing the use of technology, being responsible for children’s technology choice, setting playing time, and encouraging children to have no-technology time. Educators and parents who are interested in using hand-held devices with children will find this article useful in understanding positive strategies to implement when children use these devices.

Keywords: Hand-held devices, Parental rearing style, Children, Online responses