Abstract
This study examines the challenges of implementing Islamic parenting in the digital era, particularly during early childhood (0–6 years), a critical period for moral and personality development. Using a quantitative cross-sectional survey design, data were collected through structured online questionnaires administered to 52 parents across five regions in West Java: Tasikmalaya, Sukabumi, Cirebon, Subang, and Bandung Regency. The findings indicated that over 80% of children were introduced to smartphones before age five, with entertainment content accounting for approximately 70% of their digital consumption. Furthermore, 30.8% of children exhibited difficulty detaching from their devices, while 25% of parents reported a scarcity of engaging Islamic content tailored for early childhood. These results suggest that digital media functions as an active developmental environment shaping children's interaction patterns and behaviors. The primary challenge of Islamic parenting, therefore, extends beyond regulating screen time to preserving the family's role as the central agent of moral meaning-making. Without active parental mediation, children tend to internalize values from digital content uncritically. Grounded in social learning and developmental ecology perspectives, this study highlights that effective Islamic parenting requires a shift from restrictive practices to an engagement-based approach combining co-use, guided interaction, and role modeling. It concludes that fostering consistent moral development in the digital age necessitates both active parental involvement and cross-institutional collaboration among families, schools, and communities.