PEMANFAATAN APLIKASI MOBILE DALAM MENGENALKAN AKHLAK PADA ANAK USIA DINI

Abstract

This study stems from the limited research on the use of pedagogically designed mobile applications to introduce moral values to early childhood in the digital era. The increasing screen time among children has a direct impact on their character and moral development. The purpose of this study is to explore the potential, effective design elements, and implementation strategies of mobile applications in introducing fundamental moral values such as empathy, honesty, responsibility, and sharing to children aged 4–6 years. This research employs a qualitative approach with a multiple case study design. Participants include 15 parent-child pairs, 10 early childhood educators, and 5 educational app developers selected through purposive sampling. Data collection techniques consist of semi-structured interviews, participatory observation of children interacting with the apps, and content analysis of selected applications. Thematic analysis was used to identify key patterns in the data. The findings indicate that mobile applications can be effective in teaching moral values when they incorporate strong narratives, meaningful interactivity, and digital characters that serve as role models. These results align with Social Learning Theory and Constructivism in the digital context. The main conclusion emphasizes that the effectiveness of digital media lies not merely in its technology, but in the contextual integration of moral content and the active involvement of adults (co-play). The study's implications include theoretical contributions to digital pedagogy and practical recommendations for developers, educators, and parents.