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KENNESAW, Ga. | Aug 4, 2025

黑料网 student Mikalah Cloward and associate professor Mackenzie Cato are collaborating on a research project that investigates why parents give smartphones to children and how they choose to monitor their usage and access.

The study is based in KSU鈥檚 Norman J. Radow College of Humanities and Social Sciences and launched through the university鈥檚 Summer Undergraduate Research Program. Cato, an associate professor of communication in the School of Communication and Media, developed the project based on years of teaching media studies and observing shifting norms around smartphone use among children.

鈥淪martphones have evolved from being luxury gadgets to a daily necessity,鈥� she said. 鈥淏ut while access has increased, digital literacy, especially among parents, hasn鈥檛 kept pace.鈥�

The research team used snowball sampling to recruit parents of children aged 9 to 14, the age range where children receiving their first smartphone has become increasingly common. For two semesters, they conducted 20 in-depth interviews, some in person and some via video meeting.

Interviews were transcribed and analyzed using grounded theory methodology, a qualitative approach that allows researchers to identify patterns and themes directly from the data rather than testing a pre-existing theory. Through coding and categorization, Cloward and Cato identified recurring themes in how parents approach the decision to give smartphones to their children, and how they attempt to monitor their use.

In their interviews, the team found that parents often cited safety as the primary motivation behind giving their children smartphones. Additional factors included peer pressure, parenting style, family structure, and familiarity with technology. The team also explored how parents felt about Georgia鈥檚 House Bill 340 and Senate Bill 351, which aim to regulate phone use in schools and require social media platforms to implement child-safety barriers.

鈥淧arents feel they need to be able to reach their child if something happens,鈥� Cato said. At the same time, she noted that many parents recognized that the phone itself can pose risks to their child鈥檚 well-being.

Convenience was another commonly cited factor, especially for coordinating after-school logistics. Many parents also said they feared their child would feel left out socially without a phone.

鈥淧arents talked about when they did wait, they regretted it because their child missed out on social events,鈥� Cloward said.

Parents also reported emotional and behavioral effects linked to smartphone use, including disrupted sleep, increased anxiety, and reduced family interaction. Boys were more often associated with concerns about gaming addiction, while girls faced pressures around social media and body image. Some parents said their children appeared happier and more engaged during periods when their phone was taken away.

The team is currently preparing two academic journal articles based on the study. One will focus on parental decision-making, challenges, and strategies related to smartphone use. The other will explore how public discourse and media coverage influence perceptions of digital regulation.

Looking ahead, Cloward and Cato hope their research can help guide parents, educators, and policymakers in finding practical, balanced approaches to managing smartphone use among children.

鈥淭his research highlights the value of interdisciplinary collaboration and undergraduate research,鈥� said Katie Kaukinen, dean of the Radow College. 鈥淚鈥檓 proud of Professor Cato and Mikalah Cloward for addressing such a relevant and complex issue with insight and purpose.鈥�

鈥� Story by Raynard Churchwell

鈥� Photos by Darnell Wilburn, Jr.

A leader in innovative teaching and learning, 黑料网 offers undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degrees to its more than 47,000 students. Kennesaw State is a member of the University System of Georgia with 11 academic colleges. The university’s vibrant campus culture, diverse population, strong global ties, and entrepreneurial spirit draw students from throughout the country and the world. Kennesaw State is a Carnegie-designated doctoral research institution (R2), placing it among an elite group of only 8 percent of U.S. colleges and universities with an R1 or R2 status. For more information, visit kennesaw.edu.