Parent-Child Disconnection and Child Screen Technology Use

Consent Form

4% of survey complete.

Welcome! You are invited to participate in a research project entitled “Parent-Child Disconnection and Child Screen Technology Use”. Please be sure to read this form carefully.

Researcher: Emma Friesen, Undergraduate Student, Department of Psychology, University of Saskatchewan, emma.friesen@usask.ca

Supervisor: Melanie Morrison, Ph.D., Department of Psychology, University of Saskatchewan, 306-966-2564, melanie.morrison222@usask.ca

Purpose(s) and Objective(s): The primary purpose of the research is to train the student researcher in the methods of behavioural research. The secondary purpose is to look at the relationships parents have with their children in the digital age. Specifically, we are interested in looking at how children’s use of screen technology such as phones, tablets, television, and video games is perceived by parents and how this makes parents feel.

Procedure: You will be asked to complete an online survey, where you will see questions that ask about screen use, parent-child relationships and satisfaction, as well as some demographic questions such as age, gender, and income. At the end of the study, you will be directed to a debriefing form which will share further details about this study. You also will be given contact information should you want to contact the researchers to discuss the study or ask any further questions that you might have. The study should take approximately 25 minutes of your time.

Potential Risks: There are no known or anticipated risks to you by participating in this research.

Potential Benefits: You may receive no specific benefits from participating in the study. However, you may learn more about screen use, your perceptions, and parent-child relationships.

Confidentiality: The data will be used for course work in an undergraduate psychology class, which may be published in a journal or presented at a conference. If you volunteer to complete this survey, your information will be kept completely anonymous, and no personally identifying information will be linked to your data. All data will be reported using averages. In instances where the data are published in an academic journal and/or presented at a professional conference, the data must be stored for a minimum of five years after completion of the study. When the data are no longer required, it will be destroyed beyond recovery. If you are in contact with the researchers, anonymity will be lost but any communication and/or personal information shared via email will be kept confidential.

Right to Withdraw: Your participation is voluntary and you have the right to answer only the questions that you are comfortable with. You may withdraw from the research project by closing your web browser for any reason, at any time without explanation or penalty of any sort. For those that submit data by hitting the “submit” button, it will not be possible to actually remove your specific responses once you have clicked the “submit” button because you are anonymous (i.e., there is no way to know your identity due to the anonymous nature of the survey).

Questions or Concerns: If at any time during the study you have questions concerning the study, please feel free to email or phone the researchers. You are also free to contact the researchers with the information provided at the top of this page if you have other questions. This research project has been approved on ethical grounds by the Department of Psychology Research Ethics Committee on November 24th, 2024. Any questions regarding your rights as a participant may be addressed to the Behavioural Research Ethics Board through the Research Ethics Office, ethics.office@usask.ca, (306) 966-2975. Out of town participants may call toll free, (866) 966-2975.

By completing and submitting the questionnaire, your free and informed consent is implied and indicates that you understand the above conditions of participation in this study.