EXPLORING ADULT FEMALE’S PERCEPTIONS ON CHILDREN’S SMART PRODUCTS DEPENDENCE BEHAVIOR: A QUALITATIVE STUDY IN MACAU

The problem of smartphone addiction isn't limited to children, it's become an
integral part of modern life. Macau, a city whose economy relies on gaming and
tourism, is one of the world's most wealthiest cities in the region. Many families in
Macau have the financial resources to afford smartphones for their children.
Drawing on the traditional Asian culture of female as the primary caregiver, this
qualitative study interviewed Macau-born adult female to gather their perspectives
and opinions on children's smartphone dependence. It is interesting to discover that
the difference among age groups in terms of their perspective and perceptions on use
the smartphone. This study has identified five main themes from qualitative data
collected from 13 participants namely: (1) Functionality of smart products; (2)
Impacts of use of smart products; (3) Psychological dependence; (4) Maternal
responsibilities; (5) NGO and Government responsibilities.
The research findings indicate that enhancing family education, addressing
generational differences among parents, is crucial for supervising and educating
children on the appropriate and healthy use of smartphone and related electronic
products. The research advocates for collaborative efforts among schools, community
stake-holders, and policy makers to better prepare children in Macau for the possible
impacts of irreversible technological developments in the near future.