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Screen time effects on pre-adolescent children’s social interactions : caregivers’ experiences in Bela-Bela, South Africa
Mini-Dissertation( MSW-play based intervention) University of preoria,2025
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| Format: | Thesis |
| Language: | English |
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University of Pretoria
2026
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| _version_ | 1869483959427006464 |
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| access_status_str | Open Access |
| author2 | Chiba, Jenita
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| author_browse | Chiba, Jenita
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| author_facet | Chiba, Jenita
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| collection | Thesis |
| dc_rights_str_mv | © 2024 University of Pretoria. All rights reserved. The copyright in this work vests in the University of Pretoria. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the prior written permission of the University of Pretoria. |
| description | Mini-Dissertation( MSW-play based intervention) University of preoria,2025 |
| format | Thesis |
| id | oai:repository.up.ac.za:2263/108504 |
| institution | University of Pretoria (South Africa) |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2026-07-01T04:07:17.039Z |
| license_str | Other — see source repository |
| provenance_str_mv | Harvested via OAI-PMH from UPSpace — University of Pretoria Institutional Repository |
| publishDate | 2026 |
| publishDateRange | 2026 |
| publishDateSort | 2026 |
| publisher | University of Pretoria |
| publisherStr | University of Pretoria |
| record_format | dspace |
| source_str | UPSpace — University of Pretoria Institutional Repository |
| spelling | oai:repository.up.ac.za:2263/108504 Screen time effects on pre-adolescent children’s social interactions : caregivers’ experiences in Bela-Bela, South Africa Chiba, Jenita heidi.mashao@gmail.com Mashao , Heidi Mokgadi UCTD Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Social interaction Pre-adolescent Screen time Caregiver Bela-Bela Mini-Dissertation( MSW-play based intervention) University of preoria,2025 Screen time effects on pre-adolescent children’s social interactions: Caregivers’ experiences in Bela-Bela, South Africa Social interaction is the central quality of human social development in pre-adolescent children, enabling them to communicate, cooperate, and establish relationships with others Since the use of digital technology has increased, screen time has become a concern due to its impact on the social interactions of preadolescent children. Screen time among children, especially pre-adolescent stage children, was less and increasing gradually, but has since increased at an alarming rate during and post COVID-19 globally, where a significant screen time impact on their social interaction manifested The study used a qualitative method with a purposive sampling technique, selecting a sample of seven caregivers of pre-adolescent children from the Bela-Bela area in Limpopo province. The data was collected through a semi-structured interview guide analysed using thematic analysis. The study aimed to explore how screen time impacts the social interactions of their children during the pre-adolescent stage and to promote healthy screen time habits and social engagement. This study revealed that most preadolescent children primarily engage with screen time for entertainment, using different types of devices, which determines their screen activities and content, which impacts their social interactions. The COVID-19 pandemic significantly increased screen time among children, as many turned to electronic devices for coping and learning. This study further indicates that screen time for pre-adolescents does not negatively affect their interactions with friends; instead, it is integrated into their peer interactions and play activities. Finally, the study highlighted the need for intervention strategies to promote healthy screen time and social interaction among preadolescent children, particularly from the perspective of caregivers. Keywords: Social interaction, Pre-adolescent, Screen time, Caregiver. None Social Work and Criminology Masters of Social Work (Play-Based Intervention) Restricted Faculty of Humanities SDG-03: Good health and well-being SDG-04: Quality education SDG-10: Reduced inequalities 2026-02-20T08:59:54Z 2026-02-20T08:59:54Z 2026-05 2025-11-28 Mini Dissertation * A2026 http://hdl.handle.net/2263/108504 10.25403/UPresearchdata.31368217 en © 2024 University of Pretoria. All rights reserved. The copyright in this work vests in the University of Pretoria. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the prior written permission of the University of Pretoria. application/pdf University of Pretoria |
| spellingShingle | UCTD Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Social interaction Pre-adolescent Screen time Caregiver Bela-Bela Screen time effects on pre-adolescent children’s social interactions : caregivers’ experiences in Bela-Bela, South Africa |
| title | Screen time effects on pre-adolescent children’s social interactions : caregivers’ experiences in Bela-Bela, South Africa |
| title_full | Screen time effects on pre-adolescent children’s social interactions : caregivers’ experiences in Bela-Bela, South Africa |
| title_fullStr | Screen time effects on pre-adolescent children’s social interactions : caregivers’ experiences in Bela-Bela, South Africa |
| title_full_unstemmed | Screen time effects on pre-adolescent children’s social interactions : caregivers’ experiences in Bela-Bela, South Africa |
| title_short | Screen time effects on pre-adolescent children’s social interactions : caregivers’ experiences in Bela-Bela, South Africa |
| title_sort | screen time effects on pre adolescent children s social interactions caregivers experiences in bela bela south africa |
| topic | UCTD Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Social interaction Pre-adolescent Screen time Caregiver Bela-Bela |
| url | http://hdl.handle.net/2263/108504 |