Education, Entertainment, or Risk? An Investigation on the Appropriateness of Mobile Games for Children

Muhammed Fatih Küçükkara; Muhammed Ünal; Türker Sezer

EN

Education, Entertainment, or Risk? An Investigation on the Appropriateness of Mobile Games for Children

Öz

This study provides a comprehensive evaluation of the suitability of popular games available in major mobile application stores, namely Google Play and the Apple App Store, specifically for early childhood users. The research critically examines four key dimensions: advertising and commercial elements, educational quality, data security, and design and usability. Following a descriptive survey model, a sample of 48 of the most frequently downloaded mobile games was systematically selected for analysis. A key inclusion criterion was a high user rating of 4.0 points or above. The findings, based on calculated mean scores for each factor, reveal critical shortcomings. Advertising and commercial elements (M=2.88) and data security (M=3.17) emerged as the most problematic areas, indicating significant risks for young players. While educational quality (M=3.21) and design and usability (M=3.50) scored higher, they still fell short of ideal standards. The study concludes that substantial improvements are urgently needed, particularly in advertising and safety protocols, to ensure these digital products are genuinely appropriate for young children.

Anahtar Kelimeler

Early childhood, Mobile games, In-game advertising and monetization, Children’s data privacy and security, Educational quality, Design and usability

Kaynakça

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Ayrıntılar

Birincil Dil

İngilizce

Konular

Alan Eğitimleri (Diğer)

Bölüm

Araştırma Makalesi

Yazarlar

Muhammed Fatih Küçükkara
0000-0001-5993-0622
Türkiye

Muhammed Ünal
0000-0003-0907-6629
Türkiye

Türker Sezer ^*
0000-0003-0898-4887
Türkiye

Erken Görünüm Tarihi

11 Mayıs 2026

Yayımlanma Tarihi

-

Gönderilme Tarihi

19 Ocak 2026

Kabul Tarihi

27 Nisan 2026

Yayımlandığı Sayı

Yıl 2026 Sayı: Advanced Online Publication

IZ

https://izlik.org/JA73KW96TM

APA

Küçükkara, M. F., Ünal, M., & Sezer, T. (2026). Education, Entertainment, or Risk? An Investigation on the Appropriateness of Mobile Games for Children. Sakarya Üniversitesi Eğitim Fakültesi Dergisi, Advanced Online Publication, 75-90. https://izlik.org/JA73KW96TM

AMA

1.Küçükkara MF, Ünal M, Sezer T. Education, Entertainment, or Risk? An Investigation on the Appropriateness of Mobile Games for Children. SUJEF. 2026;(Advanced Online Publication):75-90. https://izlik.org/JA73KW96TM

Chicago

Küçükkara, Muhammed Fatih, Muhammed Ünal, ve Türker Sezer. 2026. “Education, Entertainment, or Risk? An Investigation on the Appropriateness of Mobile Games for Children”. Sakarya Üniversitesi Eğitim Fakültesi Dergisi, sy Advanced Online Publication: 75-90. https://izlik.org/JA73KW96TM.

EndNote

Küçükkara MF, Ünal M, Sezer T (01 Mayıs 2026) Education, Entertainment, or Risk? An Investigation on the Appropriateness of Mobile Games for Children. Sakarya Üniversitesi Eğitim Fakültesi Dergisi Advanced Online Publication 75–90.

IEEE

[1]M. F. Küçükkara, M. Ünal, ve T. Sezer, “Education, Entertainment, or Risk? An Investigation on the Appropriateness of Mobile Games for Children”, SUJEF, sy Advanced Online Publication, ss. 75–90, May. 2026, [çevrimiçi]. Erişim adresi: https://izlik.org/JA73KW96TM

ISNAD

Küçükkara, Muhammed Fatih - Ünal, Muhammed - Sezer, Türker. “Education, Entertainment, or Risk? An Investigation on the Appropriateness of Mobile Games for Children”. Sakarya Üniversitesi Eğitim Fakültesi Dergisi. Advanced Online Publication (01 Mayıs 2026): 75-90. https://izlik.org/JA73KW96TM.

JAMA

1.Küçükkara MF, Ünal M, Sezer T. Education, Entertainment, or Risk? An Investigation on the Appropriateness of Mobile Games for Children. SUJEF. 2026;:75–90.

MLA

Küçükkara, Muhammed Fatih, vd. “Education, Entertainment, or Risk? An Investigation on the Appropriateness of Mobile Games for Children”. Sakarya Üniversitesi Eğitim Fakültesi Dergisi, sy Advanced Online Publication, Mayıs 2026, ss. 75-90, https://izlik.org/JA73KW96TM.

Vancouver

1.Muhammed Fatih Küçükkara, Muhammed Ünal, Türker Sezer. Education, Entertainment, or Risk? An Investigation on the Appropriateness of Mobile Games for Children. SUJEF [Internet]. 01 Mayıs 2026;(Advanced Online Publication):75-90. Erişim adresi: https://izlik.org/JA73KW96TM

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