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Detailing the digital experience: Parent reports of children's media use in the home learning environment
Author(s) -
Huber Brittany,
Highfield Kate,
Kaufman Jordy
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
british journal of educational technology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.79
H-Index - 95
eISSN - 1467-8535
pISSN - 0007-1013
DOI - 10.1111/bjet.12667
Subject(s) - touchscreen , psychology , reading (process) , digital media , electronic media , media use , early childhood , variety (cybernetics) , medical education , developmental psychology , multimedia , computer science , social psychology , medicine , political science , world wide web , artificial intelligence , law , operating system
Screen media occupy an increasing role in young children's play and learning environments. This paper advances the current discussion of the changing digital lives of children, with new insights of media use in the homes of Australian families ( N = 406). Parents reported their child's technology ownership, engagement with traditional and new media, joint media engagement, as well as children's preferences and quantity of media use. From 2014 to 2017, cross‐sectional data were collected via media use questionnaire from families with a child 8 years of age or younger. Of all the media activities, children most frequently participated in reading (paper‐based or eBooks) and watching television. Children's touchscreen use indicated a variety of choices from the “digital toy box,” referring to the numerous apps available and their potential to serve as a medium for play. This data can inform policy and practice of researchers, educators and family engagement specialists and optimize early learning potential prior to formal schooling.