Mobile phone use has had an impact on family dynamics in rural India. An ethnographic study of communities in West Bengal has shown that children are gaining more influence within family networks thanks to their digital skills, while women are using mobile phones to challenge male dominance in kinship systems. Sirpa Tenhunen is professor of social and cultural anthropology […]
Teens’ media practices are influenced by their parents’ attitudes to gender equality, according to recent research in the US by Plan International. The study also found that teens – particularly those from ethnic minorities – would like more education on issues such as consent, equality and safety online. This post considers how both parents and educators might address such […]
Children who are vulnerable offline are more likely to encounter multiple risks online – but current advice on safety fails to take into account their differing levels of resilience. In this post, Adrienne Katz and Dr Aiman El Asam outline the findings from a major UK study into the links between online and offline vulnerability and recommend changes for […]
While children in Norway are often referred to as ‘digital natives’, new research by EU Kids Online suggests that this is an inappropriate term. It discovered that although children often understand concepts related to the internet, they can’t always apply the practical skills related to those concepts. The findings suggest that children may need more support online. Niamh Ní […]
To mark Safer Internet Day, this post takes a look at Ofcom’s latest reports into children’s media use and discusses how a decline in family viewing impacts on what strategies parents can use to ensure that their children stay safe online. Gianfranco Polizzi and Kate Gilchrist suggest that while screen time rules are popular, having regular conversations with children may be […]
Heated debates focus on new and emerging technologies in the lives of children, young people, families and schools. New research, out this week, brings together the perspectives of tech industry insiders and those of young people, parents, and educators across Europe, to explore the future of tech and provide practical recommendations. Alicia Blum-Ross led the research project while she was the Research […]
A new report on US teens reveals that social media use can improve social-emotional well-being and support creativity but that vulnerable teenagers may rely more on such platforms. African-Americans also report more harm online, and low-income youth use social media in different ways. Mizuko (Mimi) Ito is a cultural anthropologist, studying youth new media practices in the US and Japan. She oversees […]
Wondering whether to buy your child a tablet for Christmas but concerned about the risks? Health visitors could play a vital role in advising parents on screen time, but there is currently a lack of evidence-based research or guidance for them to draw upon. Here, Sonia Livingstone and Keely Franklin discuss what health visitors can do to bridge the gap when […]
In a study of UK IT professionals about children’s use of digital technology, many spoke of their fears surrounding safety and screen time but also of a need to improve not only children’s technical skills but their emotional digital literacy. This post is co-written by Adi Kuntsman, Senior Lecturer at Manchester Metropolitan University and co-lead of the Digital Disengagement […]
Non-formal learning within the home plays a major role in children developing advanced digital skills. In this post Peter Twining discusses which practices adopted by ‘digitally connected families’ are the most successful. Professor of Education (Futures) at The Open University, Peter Twining, is passionate about developing education systems that are fit for our rapidly changing world. Much of his research has focused on […]
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