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Article published In: Journal of Asian Pacific Communication
Vol. 27:1 (2017) ► pp.99–120

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Protest and protect

Chinese urban mothers’ perception of smartphone (tablet) in their everyday lives’ communication and interaction with young children

 | University of Florida
 | Wuhan University
 | Huazhong Agricultural University
Published online: 23 May 2017
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https://doi.org/10.1075/japc.27.1.06che
Abstract
A phenomenological study reveals Chinese mothers’ perception and interpretation of smartphone (tablet) in their everyday communications and interactions with their young children. In total, 23 in-depth interviews were used to collect data. Data of the current study indicated that Chinese mothers’ perception of smartphone (tablet) in their everyday lives’ communication and interaction with young children is both grounded and reflective of their parenting philosophy and family communication style. Data of the current study indicated that today’s Chinese mothers have a mixed feeling toward the role of smartphone and tablet plays in their parenting practices. According to those participants, the smartphone and tablet both help and hurt their communications and interactions with their children. There are both direct and indirect benefits of using smartphone for parenting. Similarly, the smartphone (tablet) also hurts Chinese mothers’ communications and interactions with their children directly and indirectly.
Article outline
  • Literature review
    • Today’s Chinese Women
    • Mobile communication and family
    • Mobile phone and family communication
    • Mobile phone and parenting
    • Theoretical perspectives: apparatgeist, mediatization, and polymedia
  • Methodology
  • Findings
    • Challenging orthodox – Chinese mothers’ parenting philosophy and family communication style
    • Protesting and protecting – chinese mothers’ perception of smartphone (tablet)’s role in parenting
  • Discussion
    • Theoretical implication
  • Limitation and future research
  • References
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