Guiding Young Children’s Access to Digital Media
Author: Rick Phelan
Published: 08.14.13
Young children are spending greater amounts of time exploring digital media—television, computers, video games, tablets, and smartphones. Zero to Eight: Children’s Media Use in America, a 2011 research study from Common Sense Media, offers insight into access trends among the younger segments of our population. According to this research, the data on personal computer usage among children shows that even our youngest children are frequent digital media users.
Computer Use Among Children Ages 5-8
Frequency using a personal computer to access web resources, play games, or use other applications:
- 10% use a computer several times a day
- 12% use a computer once a day
- 29% use a computer several times a week
- 17% use a computer once a week
- 22% use a computer less than once a week
- 10% have never used a computer
Mobile Media Use
Focusing on mobile technologies, the researchers looked at the percentage of children who had ever used a smartphone, iPod, iPad, or similar devices to play games, watch videos, or use other apps. They discovered that:
- 10% of children ages 0-1 have used mobile technologies
- 39% of children ages 2-4 have used mobile technologies
- 52% of children ages 5-8 have used mobile technologies
Parents and educators would be wise wise to monitor and guide younger children’s access to digital media. Action in this area will support the development of positive interpersonal communications, teach important lessons about media literacy, build responsibility, and provide the foundations for cybersafety. Selected resources to help parents and educators in these efforts are listed below.
Resources
Common Sense Media | Link
Common Sense Media encourages parents and educators to be mindful of children’s interests in digital media. They offer guides, resources, and advice for parents and educators to help promote appropriate access. Parents will find their reviews of websites, apps, games, movies, and television programs helpful. Educator resources include digital media curriculum, scope and sequence, and 1-to-1 essentials.
Internet Safety Cheat Sheet | Link
The Internet Safety Cheat is an infographic from Jen Gordon that includes suggestions to help manage Netflix, Instagram, YouTube, iOS devices, and Google Search.
Technology for Learning Blog: Cybersafety | Link
An earlier post from this blog offers more ideas to help educators and parents promote respect, responsibility, and ethics in using digital resources.
Blog: Technology for Learners
