Early Childhood and Digital Media

2024

Early Childhood and Digital Media

With the use of digital media by children under five increasing, it is more important than ever to understand its impact. Traditional estimates of screen time do not give a complete picture of how digital media are integrated into family life. This report aims to explore these complexities using the DREAMER (Dynamic, Relational, Ecological Approach to Media Effects Research) framework, which offers a more comprehensive assessment of digital media use.

By moving from a simple measure of screen time to a broader concept of family media ecology, the aim is to understand better how digital media interact with family dynamics and influence child outcomes. This investigation contributes to a better understanding of the role of digital media in family life and is intended to help guide future research using the DREAMER framework.

You can find the full guide here.