Children’s digital media environment: how do we support parents to navigate the space?

This 3 hour workshop overviews research on children’s digital media environment (previously referred to as ‘screen time’). The change in terminology has come from digital media environments being ubiquitous and mobile. The workshop focusses on children under 8 years of age. The workshop begins with background information such as, media coverage, the history of toys, recommendations for screen use, and definitions. The workshop then considers recent research on children’s digital media environments in relation to children under 3 years, preschool children, self-regulation, educational apps, VR AR XR, and displacement theory. The last hour of the workshop considers parents and child-centred digital environments, and what we know and don’t know about problematic use of media.  Throughout the workshop practical application is discussed in how therapists and practitioners can support parents with information to inform their own media use as well as their child’s media use. A breakout room (or two, depending on the group) is scheduled for participants to brain storm early development of a parent scale and child scale for regulatory media use (developed by Jenny Radesky* and colleagues) as well as a tip sheet for parents.

*Jenny Radesky is a prolific researcher in children’s digital media environments, parent-child relationships, and social emotional development. She is Section Head of Developmental and Behavioural Paediatrics Medical School at the University of Michigan and Board-Certified Developmental Behavioural Paediatrician. She is Chair of the Council on Communications and Media at the American Academy of Pediatrics.

This workshop will be delivered live, and will also be recorded and available to view and purchase after the live workshop has been delivered.