Professors Suzy Edwards and Leon Straker discuss their Statement on Young Children and Digital Technologies, including current research and practice-advice for educators and families.
As young children today are growing up in digital environments, there is an increasing need for principles, practice advice and reflection on the ways in which digital technologies might be used with, by and for young children. Professors Suzy Edwards and Leon Straker discuss their Statement on Young Children and Digital Technologies as a response to this need, and share some of the current research that underpins the statement.
To help you navigate the webinar easily, there is a list of the key topics covered in the session below, including the time each was discussed. The key ideas discussed in this webinar are also shared in a short insight article.
Topics discussed in this webinar
Times shown in minutes and seconds from the start of the video
| 1.05 | The Statement on Young Children and Digital Technologies and how it was developed |
| 8.42 | The impact of technology on social skills and relationships |
| 13.53 | The impact of technology use on physical activity |
| 16.39 | Early childhood setting policies and practice guidelines for digital technology use |
| 21.56 | Using digital technology to support children’s play and exploration |
| 26.28 | Publishing the statement and online engagement |
| 27.09 | Current work with the Statement on Young Children and Digital Technologies |
| 32.02 | Type of devices to use in early childhood settings |
| 36.26 | Concerns about screen time |
| 39.17 | Managing families’ diverse perspectives on use of technology |
| 44.17 | Concluding comments |
Questions for exploring key ideas from this webinar
- What are your overarching philosophy and important values, and how do these guide your choices
around digital technology provision? - How do you understand children’s learning in your setting, and how might technologies facilitate
these processes? For example, how might digital technologies afford more diverse opportunities for children’s play and exploration? In what ways might technology support children to represent their understandings? - Do you offer a range of opportunities to use technology that include active and more sedentary
modes of engagement? - How are adults using digital technologies in your setting?
- How do you manage permissions for using digital content, including photographs for children’s
digital documentation?
Further reading
Download the full Statement on Young Children and Digital Technologies or its shorter summary document.
Find out more about screen time in early childhood here.
