Unintended Media Exposure and Children’s Cognitive Development: Parental Perspectives from Bangladesh Using UNESCO’s MODEL Framework
Nusrat Jahan and Md. Al Amin Rakib
Department of Mass Communication and Journalism, Bangladesh University of Professionals, Dhaka, Bangladesh.
Abstract
In Bangladesh, early childhood is being increasingly shaped by unintended exposure to media, but little is known about how such exposure influences children’s cognitive and socio-emotional development from the parents’ perspective. This study examines the impact of unintended screen exposure on the early cognitive development of children. Using a qualitative design, semi-structured interviews were conducted with parents of 20 children aged 4-6. Data was analyzed through thematic analysis informed by the UNESCO MODEL framework, allowing parental interpretations to be linked with cognitive, executive, and socio-emotional development domains. The findings included several benefits, like children picking up new words, recognizing letters, and beginning to count through songs, rhymes, and simple learning apps. On the other hand, parents also expressed concerns. These were shorter attention spans, sleep disruptions, and imitation of aggressive behaviors seen on screens. Longer or unsupervised exposure causes harm to their self-regulation and socio-emotional growth. The study highlights the need to adapt the MODEL framework for Bangladesh, emphasizing culturally relevant content, parental guidance, and routines that support healthy media habits.
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