Main Article Content

Abstract

This study aims a conceptual framework of Smart Parenting to support emotional development in early childhood within the context of the digital era. Using a qualitative literature review, 20 selected studies published between 2010 and 2023 were analyzed to identify key themes. The findings reveal that Smart Parenting combines emotional responsiveness, digital literacy, and cultural sensitivity. Emotionally attuned parenting, enhanced by appropriate digital tools to fosters emotional intelligence, empathy, and regulation skills in children. However, unsupervised or excessive screen use can hinder emotional bonding. Cultural context also shapes how Smart Parenting is practiced, highlighting the need for adaptable strategies that respect local values and resources. This framework offers a holistic approach to parenting that bridges traditional interaction with modern technology. The study contributes to parenting science by integrating digital tools, emotional neuroscience, and cultural dimensions into a unified model. It offers insights for parents, educators, and policymakers to promote healthy emotional growth in early childhood.

Keywords

smart parenting emotional development digital tools early childhood parenting practices

Article Details

How to Cite
Musrini, I., & Sapan, E. B. (2025). Smart Parenting in the Digital Era: A Literature-based Framework for Enhancing Emotional Development in Early Childhood. Atfaluna Journal of Islamic Early Childhood Education, 8(1). https://doi.org/10.32505/atfaluna.v8i1.8596

References

  1. Baharun, H., & Finori, F. D. (2019). Smart Techno Parenting: Alternatif Pendidikan Anak Pada Era Teknologi Digital. Jurnal Tatsqif, 17(1), 52–69. https://doi.org/10.20414/jtq.v17i1.625
  2. Blandon, A. Y. (2015). Mothers’ and Fathers’ Responses to Children’s Negative Emotions: Family and Physiological Correlates. Family Relations, 64(3), 431–445. https://doi.org/10.1111/fare.12125
  3. Bornstein, M. H. (2024). Parenting Science and Emotion Regulation: Principles, Effects, Determinants, and Supports. In I. Roskam, J. J. Gross, & M. Mikolajczak (Eds.), Emotion Regulation and Parenting (pp. 3–34). Cambridge University Press. https://doi.org/10.1017/9781009304368.003
  4. Bowlby, J. (1980). Attachment and Loss: Vol. III. Basic Books. http://scioteca.caf.com/bitstream/handle/123456789/1091/RED2017-Eng-8ene.pdf?sequence=12&isAllowed=y%0Ahttp://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.regsciurbeco.2008.06.005%0Ahttps://www.researchgate.net/publication/305320484_SISTEM_PEMBETUNGAN_TERPUSAT_STRATEGI_MELESTARI
  5. Crouse, J. J., LaMonica, H. M., Song, Y. J. C., Boulton, K. A., Rohleder, C., DeMayo, M. M., Wilson, C. E., Loblay, V., Hindmarsh, G., Stratigos, T., Krausz, M., Foo, N., Teo, M., Hunter, A., Guastella, A. J., Banati, R. B., Troy, J., & Hickie, I. B. (2023). Designing an App for Parents and Caregivers to Promote Cognitive and Socioemotional Development and Well-being Among Children Aged 0 to 5 Years in Diverse Cultural Settings: Scientific Framework. JMIR Pediatrics and Parenting, 6(1). https://doi.org/10.2196/38921
  6. Denham, S. A., Bassett, H. H., Mincic, M., Kalb, S., Way, E., & Wyatt, T. (2012). Social-Emotional Learning Profiles of Preschoolers’ Early School Success: A Person-Centered Approach. Learn Individ Differ., 22(2), 178–189. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lindif.2011.05.001.Social-Emotional
  7. Dix, T. (1991). The affective organization of parenting: Adaptive and maladaptative processes. Psychological Bulletin, 10(1), 3–25.
  8. Dozier, M., & Bernard, K. (2023). Intervening Early: Socioemotional Interventions Targeting the Parent–Infant Relationship. Annual Review of Developmental Psychology, 5(1), 115–135. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-devpsych-120621-043254
  9. Edwards, N. M. (2012). Understanding Emotional Development: Helping Early Childhood Providers Better Support Families. NHSA Dialog, 15(4), 355–370. https://doi.org/10.1080/15240754.2012.725490
  10. Giráldez, V. A., Sanmiguel-Rodríguez, A., Alvarez, O., & Padín, R. (2025). Emotional and Social Development in Early Childhood Education. In Globalizing Approaches in Early Childhood Education. IGI Global Scientific Publishing. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.4018/979-8-3693-0634-5.ch010
  11. Goleman, D. (1995). Emotional Intelligence. Bloomsbury Publishing.
  12. Hossain, Z., & Eisberg, G. (2020). Parenting and Academic Socialization of Young Children: Sociocultural Context for Early Childhood Development in South Asian Families. In Parents and Caregivers Across Cultures (pp. 89–103). Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-35590-6_7
  13. Indrajaya, M. A., Chao, W.-H., Semwaiko, G. S., Pusparani, Y., & Yang, C.-Y. (2024). Enhancing parent-child interaction through the gamification of parenting: An exploration of digital interventions. E-Learning and Digital Media. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1177/20427530241310505
  14. Ingrassia, L. B., & Massimo. (2020). Digital Parenting: Raising and Protecting Children in Media World. In Parenting - Studies by an Ecocultural and Transactional Perspective weekends. https://doi.org/http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.92579
  15. Jeon, J., & Park, D. (2024). Your feelings are reasonable: Emotional validation promotes persistence among preschoolers. Developmental Science, 27(5), 1–10. https://doi.org/10.1111/desc.13523
  16. Livingstone, S., & Blum-Ross, A. (2020). The Contradictions of Digital Parenting. Parenting for a Digital Future, 8. https://blogs.lse.ac.uk/parenting4digitalfuture/2020/12/09/digital-parenting-contradictions/
  17. Mafaza, M., & Mayang Sarry, S. (2022). Emotional Regulation Ability in Early Childhood: Role of Coparenting and Mindful Parenting. Journal An-Nafs: Kajian Penelitian Psikologi, 7(1), 35–49. https://doi.org/10.33367/psi.v7i1.2000
  18. Mamauag, B. L., Alampay, L. P., Lachman, J. M., Madrid, B. J., Hutchings, J., Ward, C. L., & Gardner, F. (2021). A South-to-South Cultural Adaptation of an Evidence-Based Parenting Program for Families in the Philippines. Family Process, 60(4), 1202–1216. https://doi.org/10.1111/famp.12625
  19. Nichols, S., & Selim, N. (2022). Digitally Mediated Parenting: A Review of the Literature. Societies, 12(2). https://doi.org/10.3390/soc12020060
  20. Rout, B., & Bhoi, T. (2024). SEL and Technology?: The Role of Digital Tools in Promoting Emotional and Social Skills. International Journal for Research in Applied Science & Engineering Technology (IJRASET), 12(XII).
  21. Sabey, A. K., Lafrance, A., Furrow, J., Diamond, G., & Hughes, D. (2024). A family reunion of “clinical cousins”: Attachment and emotion in four family-oriented therapy models. Family Process. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1111/famp.13001
  22. Salsabila, Hasanati, N., & Pahmiah. (2024). Exploring Digital Parenting: A Systematic Review of Approaches, Challenges, and Outcomes. JSRET (Journal of Scientific, Research, Education, and Technology), 3(4), 1856–1867.
  23. Slavkovi?, A. (2020). Early attachment and emotional regulation. Research in Pedagogy, 10(2), 462–475. https://doi.org/10.5937/istrped2002462s
  24. Suargani, G., Surya, J., & Maullasari, S. (2023). Smart Techno Parenting for Early Childhood Socio-Emotional Development in the Digital Age. GENIUS Indonesian Journal of Early Childhood Education, 4(2), 133–150. https://doi.org/10.35719/gns.v4i2.116
  25. Thompson, D. A., Jimenez-Zambrano, A. M., Ringwood, H., Tschann, J. M., & Clark, L. (2023). Parenting a Toddler in the Era of Pervasive Screens: Interviews with Low-Income Mexican American Parents. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 20(8). https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20085461
  26. Veraksa, A. N., Bukhalenkova, D. A., Chichinina, E. A., & Almazova, O. V. (2021). Relationship Between the Use of Digital Devices and Executive Functions Development in Preschool Children. Psychological Science and Education, 26(1), 51–59. https://doi.org/10.31857/S020595920018769-1
  27. Veraksa, N. E., & Belolutskaya, A. K. (2021). Emotional and Cognitive Development of Preschool Children: Overview of International and Russian Studies on Role of Dialectical Thinking in the Regulation of Affect and Recognition of Complex Feelings. RUDN Journal of Psychology and Pedagogics, 18(1), 104–121. https://doi.org/10.22363/2313-1683-2021-18-1-104-121
  28. Wenling, L., Muhamad, M. M., Fakhruddin, F. M., Qiuyang, H., & Weili, Z. (2023). Exploring the Impact of Emotional Education in Parent-Child Interactions on Early Childhood Emotional Intelligence Development. International Journal of Academic Research in Progressive Education and Development, 12(3), 691–699. https://doi.org/10.6007/ijarped/v12-i3/18462