The growing reliance on digital technology in Australian households has sparked an urgent call for early childhood education programs focused on digital devices and online safety.
This review follows expert advice regarding young children and digital technologies.
Areas included are health and wellbeing, ethics and citizenship, and digital media consumption.
As digital technology becomes increasingly central to our everyday lives, children are navigating a complex world of screens, apps, and online interactions.
Living in the growing age of digital technologies, it is prevalent that parenting can be difficult in navigating the issues around children’s online safety.
Some parents believe that exposure to digital devices can influence children negatively and further impact early childhood development.
Managing these fears can be helpful with informed advice and thorough research on the prevalent issue.
Dr Harrison Waed See is an Academic Research Officer in the School of Arts and Humanities at Edith Cowan University.
Dr Waed See explained, some of the discussion regarding the negative impact of the use of digital technologies on young kids is “just hearsay”.
He said there is a lot of mis-messaging in terms or guidelines regarding what they consider as healthy, and what might cause harm.
“All this information about digital technology makes parents worried.”
“Part of parenting is digital parenting.”
Dr Harrison Waed See.
While some parents express concerns about their potential harm to children, others recognise their value as a beneficial tool for education, creativity, and engagement.
Some groups of parents turn to these technologies as a convenient way to keep their children occupied briefly, allowing them to focus on pursuing personal tasks or objectives.
Others utilise digital devices as educational tools, incorporating co-viewing practices, to actively engage with their children and foster shared learning experiences.
Dr Waed See believes there is no best time to introduce children to digital devices because it varies between different family dynamics.
“Kids need to learn digital skills and they need to have an understanding of digital technology.”
Part of his research with the ARC Centre of Excellence for the Digital Child focuses on equipping children and parents with the skills they need to live their best digital lives.
As the government places a social media ban on children under 16 years, experts believe that this law will limit children’s digital citizenship.
Children are entitled to engage with the digital world and explore a wide range of online experiences, including the use of social media.
Mrs Nelly Nnamdi-Nwagboh, a Banksia Grove local, said she and her partner allow their son to have his iPad “because he uses it as a learning device”.
“We download the Reading Eggs application to help with reading and vocabulary.”
She mentioned, despite the limitations on the amount of time, her son is allowed to use these devices each day, believing they play a valuable role in supporting his learning and enhancing his knowledge.
She shared some pictures of her 6-year-old son’s drawings and how he has improved from copying an artist from YouTube.
“My son has improved his passion for drawing by just looking at the artist on YouTube and copying exactly what he is doing.”
Mrs Nnamdi-wagboh said, using restrictions on most of her son’s applications and digital devices works well with her family dynamics.
“We have never had a negative impact; rather, it has helped him to be better in improving his drawings.
“We are in the dispensation of technology, introducing them to these devices will help them to broaden their imagination and gain knowledge.’’
6-year-old Jidenna Nnamdi-Nwagboh said he loves watching YouTube “because I learn how to draw”.
“I started drawing at 3-years-old and I love drawing because it makes me proud of myself. I would like to draw my family someday.”
The debate surrounding the positive and negative aspects of digital exposure highlights, the impact depends heavily on one’s level of understanding and knowledge.
Access to digital devices is influenced by family dynamics, adult involvement, and education.
Rather than imposing restrictions, fostering guided knowledge and education is key to creating a safer and smarter digital environment for the future.
