Eureka! Institutional Repository

In recent decades, technology has become more and more widespread even in preschool children, reaching the first stages of their education. Parents and teachers play a catalytic role in its proper use. The present study was conducted to investigate the views and perceptions of parents of preschool children regarding the use of ICT in school or outside school. A six-item questionnaire was used and answered by 128 parents of preschool children. The random sampling method was applied. The whole procedure was done in electronic form only, because during the research period, there was confinement due to the pandemic. Due to this confinement, it was not possible to conduct the investigation in print. The questionnaire was answered mainly by parents living in the prefecture of Thessaloniki, but also by parents living in the prefecture of Attica. The results showed that parents are positive about their children's use of ICT, but with limitations and rules. The study involved more women in the age group of 26-45 years and of university education. The research showed that there are three main groups of parents regarding the use of ICT. The first group includes parents who agree to the use of ICT by children, in school and out of school without restrictions and limits. The second group includes parents who agree to the use of ICT by their children, but set restrictions and limits (this is the largest group). Finally the third group includes parents who agree but are very cautious. All parents, regardless of which group they belong to, have been shown to be aware of the dangers and problems that may arise from their children's use of ICT. Everyone also agrees that in emergencies, ICT should be used so as not to lose touch with the educational process. Socio-economic in homogeneities were detected, but they did not have much effect on children's access to ICT.