Digital Content for children includes all forms of media accessed through digital devices, which includes such things like educational apps, interactive games, videos, and online resources. In the modern age, this plays a significant role in your child’s learning, the way they play, and their social interactions with other people.
Children today are leaning more towards the usage of technology and media as a form of entertainment, which proves beneficial according to some studies. A study by Kostyrka-Allchorne et al (2017) shows that, while young children still prefer traditional television as their media platform of choice, touchscreen devices are becoming more and more common and may encourage simultaneous multi-screen use. Furthermore, parents think that media has a generally positive impact on developmental outcomes. Although, it is also important to keep an eye on the material that your children are being exposed to, on both traditional and new media.
From a previously conducted interview done with a Board-Certified Psychologist, Dr. Jaime Gabriel, for that Capstone, parents have consciously sought out digital media for their child, specifically, narrative based children shows. Accordingly, “…the reason why they choose narrative-based TV shows is because of the convenience. I’m a parent too, I have a kid. During the pandemic, that was the best choice no? In the education setting, there’s objective, participation”. He then further explains that not all digital content is intelligent and is not filtered correctly. This is a point to make as you, the parent, are responsible for properly handling and monitoring what your child views when they use their digital devices.
According to the Child Rescue Coalition regarding the safeguarding of young children online, they suggested keeping devices within shared spaces. This requires the children to use their digital media within the common areas of the household. This makes sure that you parents can keep an eye on your children’s activities as they scroll through and watch their media. Setting clear and established rules and communicating with your child is also essential, as it teaches your children at an early age, appropriate online behavior, with clear limits on what digital media they are viewing. This then leads to proper filtering, with you, the parent, having to control what content your child is viewing and is exposed to.
Tito Quiling, a Media Studies scholar remarked, “There is always risk when media grows, because from before, the options of people for media is limited. From before, it was the radio or comics, then it grew into television and films. Then today, there’s different digital content and different platforms. So there is a risk on which is the correct or proper kind of media that you will use to get your children exposed to”. This is the translated reply when he was asked if the current media of today is more dangerous compared to before. There are always risks when you present media to your children, but at the same time, you can avoid the dangers of getting your children exposed to problematic and non-age-appropriate digital media.
SOURCES:
- Kostyrka‐Allchorne, K., Cooper, N. R., & Simpson, A. (2017). Touchscreen generation: children’s current media use, parental supervision methods and attitudes towards contemporary media. Acta Paediatrica, 106(4), 654-662.
- https://childrescuecoalition.org/educations/safeguarding-children-online-the-importance-of-monitoring-internet-and-social-media-usage