A growing number of Hungarian preschool children are gaining access to digital devices at an increasingly early age, with some owning their own smartphones or tablets before the age of three, according to a large-scale study commissioned by the NMHH.
The research highlights that while most parents attempt to limit screen time, a significant proportion of young children are already regular users of digital devices. Among preschoolers who use such devices, 11 per cent have their own smartphone or tablet, a figure that rises to 25 per cent by the age of six.
Even more striking, 70 per cent of children with their own device received it by the age of four at the latest, while one in five had access to a personal smart device before turning three. Many of these children use their devices intensively, often multiple times a day.
The study also reveals stark social differences in children’s digital habits. One of the most significant factors influencing screen time is the educational background of parents.
Children of parents with higher education spend an average of five hours per week in front of screens, while those whose parents have only primary education or less spend more than ten hours weekly. Parents in the latter group are also more likely to use digital devices as a way to calm or occupy their children.
Researchers emphasized the importance of parental role modelling, noting that three out of five parents are aware that their own device usage habits influence their children. Despite this, many adults frequently use digital devices in the presence of their children: six in ten parents regularly engage in online messaging or administrative tasks, while around 20 per cent browse social media when with their preschool-aged children.
The findings also point to a growing demand for institutional support. More than half of respondents believe that kindergartens should take an active role in shaping children’s conscious and responsible use of digital tools.
Kindergarten teachers are considered among the most trusted sources of guidance on the issue, alongside online platforms.
The results are included in a comprehensive publication by the NMHH and Eszterházy Károly Catholic University titled Preschoolers and Media, which examines the characteristics, risks, and social implications of digital device use among young children.
The study underscores the increasing importance of early digital education, as children encounter technology at ever younger ages, raising new challenges for both families and educators.
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