PARENTS' PERSPECTIVE ABOUT THE USE OF DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY BY CHILDREN IN A RURAL COMMUNITY – BIHOR COUNTY, ROMANIA -

<doi>10.24250/jpe/1/2025/MC/AG</doi>

Abstract

The access and use of digital technology by rural pupils are two very little explored issues in Romania. Research on these issues is sporadic, targeted and there is no sustained research over time - longitudinal research - to track the factors that determine changes in the use of technology by pupils in these environments. In an article published in 2021 we made a brief synthesis of the Romanian literature regarding the use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) by students (Cosma, 2021). The studies showed an increase in access to digital devices, but also its use for different purposes. The most accessed devices were phone and laptop or computer, followed by tablet. The main online activities were school activities (reports, presentations, projects, homework, etc.) and entertainment activities (music, videos, video games, etc.). In the meantime, in Bihor county, digital equipment has been purchased through the funding lines opened for town halls and schools for this purpose. We mention here Rosia , Budureasa , Remetea etc. In Lazareni the project "Improvement of digital content and systemic ICT infrastructure in the field of e-education in Lazareni, Bihor County" was implemented in the period 20216 - 20227. This project purchased tablets for students, laptops for teachers and other digital equipment totaling 1.170.673,63 lei. The use of this equipment, however, is dependent on the teachers' competence to effectively use this equipment, applications and platforms, but also on the parents' support, motivation and perception of the usefulness of digital technology in the use of it by children. Through this study, we aim to analyze these issues: to explore parents' perceptions of the benefits and risks to which pupils are exposed when using information and communication technology (ICT).