A new website will provide evidence-based information and resources for educators and families to help teach and protect children in today’s digital world.
The comprehensive website – spearheaded by Australian Catholic University (ACU) – is the result of a landmark four-year Young Children in Digital Society research project led by ACU in collaboration with education and health experts from Curtin University, Deakin University, Monash University, La Trobe University, and the University of Canberra.
The new website is being called “a go-to hub” for early learning services and educators wanting to help children aged birth to eight years and their families be safe and active in the digital world.
Lead researcher Professor Suzy Edwards from ACU’s Institute for Learning Sciences and Teacher Education said the project was driven by concerns about helping young kids use digital tech in ways that support their relationships, health, safety, and learning.
“Digital technologies are now such an important part of daily life for children and their families that managing technology use only through approaches such as screen time is becoming limited,” Professor Edwards told The Educator.
“It is very important that young children have plenty of opportunities for physical activity, and social interactions with other people that promote learning and development, and screen time is one way of keeping tabs on how children are using devices.”
However, Professor Edwards said there are many other important issues to consider regarding children and technologies.
“These include how adults can help children share and use technologies in ways that support pro-social development, or how to help children transition smoothly from using devices into non-digital activities,” she said.
“It is also very important that adults help children understand the internet as a network of technologies used by people so that children can learn why online safety practices, such as only interacting with people known to children in-person, or always using the internet with adult supervision are important.”
Professor Edwards said the resources are suited to how young children learn through play and also help adults understand what actions they can take to keep children safe online.
“The resources are easy to use and give examples of what educators can do with children in their classrooms, or information for families about practical steps to take at home,” she said.
“All the resources are mapped to Learning Outcomes from the Early Years Learning Framework, the National Quality Standards and the National Principles for Child Sare Organizations.”
Looking ahead, Professor Edwards said teachers can ensure these new resources are sustainable and remain effective
“The resources are based on findings from our project about practices that help children, families and educators use digital technologies safely and well," she said. "Some of the practices we identified include activities, supervising, discussing, engaging and modelling."
Professor Edwards said these practices are important because when children and their adults do these things together, children are learning how to be active users of technologies.
"The resources that explain these practices will remain sustainable and effective because they will help children and their adults use new technologies over time.”
ECA, the eSafety Commissioner, ABC Kids, Australian Federal Police, Raising Children Network, the Alannah & Madeline Foundation, and Deeper Richer, were also partners on the Australian Research Council funded study, which led to the creation of the new Young Children in Digital Society website.
Australia’s eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant said children were engaging with digital technologies from a young age and educators needed to be empowered to help parents and carers navigate online challenges.
“This groundbreaking research project will provide an additional comprehensive resource for educators, parents and broader family members to ensure that children are harnessing the benefits of the digital world while minimising the risks,” Inman Grant said.
“Technology platforms were not built in the best interests of the child so it’s up to all of us to ensure that children’s best interests are realised when they are online.”
We Belong Family Day Care, Playgroup Western Australia, Lady Gowrie Tasmania, Pope Road Kindergarten, Berwick and District Woodworkers Club, and C & K Childcare & Kindergarten were also involved in the project.