The rapid surge in technological advancements has profoundly transformed various aspects of life, including medicine, access to information, and global connectivity. However, the speed and scale of these changes have given rise to new questions about their impact on the development of younger generations. One of the most drastically affected areas is socialization. Children no longer need face-to-face interactions to engage with their peers, as digital communication has become the norm. Additionally, it is often more convenient for parents to hand their child a tablet or phone for entertainment rather than arranging in-person playdates. The shift away from direct social interactions could have adverse effects on the development of young children’s social skills. This project aims to synthesize the existing research concerning the impact of technology use on young children’s social skills through a meta-analysis. By combining data from multiple studies, this approach will provide more reliable conclusions and help identify overarching trends.
