PUB - Publikationen an der Universität Bielefeld

The aim of the present study was to describe the current use of and access to electronic media of kindergarten children, with regard to age, gender, socioeconomic status, and mother's parenting style (N= 748 families). Furthermore cross-sectional links between different media use and the children's language and maths skills were explored (N= 468 families). Relevant covariates were controlled, e. g. socioeconomic status, IQ or behavior problems. Results: Kindergarten children had access to various electronic media and showed higher media use predominantly with growing age, lower socioeconomic status and male gender. An unfavorable parenting style was linked independently from the socioeconomic status with higher television and videogame use, as well as lower audiotape use. Lower language skills were linked positive with higher videogame use, as well as lower audiotape and computer use. On the other hand lower maths skills were linked with higher television and videogame use, as well as lower computer and audiotape use. The results agreed in part with a "socioeconomic-mainstreaming" hypothesis.