In today’s digital reality, children spend time online and engage with digital technology before they can read. A 2023 study in Australia found that even at six months old, some children spend more than three hours a day on screens. Therefore, digital safety is no longer optional for parents and educators. While the internet provides many opportunities for connection and education, we all need skills and tools to safely and confidently navigate the online world.
In this post, we’ll contextualise childhood development in a digital world. We discuss what digital safety entails and explore common risks at each developmental stage. We’ll also cover the psychological dangers of unregulated tech use, how to build digital resilience in children and why digital education matters.
Understanding childhood development in a digital world
Childhood development is a complex process that involves learning how to function physically, emotionally and socially in the world. While digital tools can provide opportunities for growth and development through interactive applications, they can also hinder development.
According to an article by Vincent Adeyemi titled “The Impact of Technology on a Child’s Cognitive and Social Development: Implications for Education,” digital tools can assist children in developing critical thinking and problem-solving skills. These tools can also enhance their memory and help children connect with their peers. Additionally, it helps with engaging in online learning.
However, spending too much time online can lessen attention spans and lead to “cognitive inflexibility”, a term used to describe a condition where children struggle to shift between tasks or adapt to new situations. The fast-paced, highly stimulating nature of online content means that children also struggle to engage in less stimulating real-world activities. Heavy screen use can also lead to social isolation and impact empathy, emotional regulation, and understanding of social cues.
Overall, how children use technology and the quality of the content they consume are more crucial than just monitoring screen time. To ensure that children maximise the benefits of digital tools while avoiding the harmful effects of excessive screen time, it’s vital to lay out online parenting strategies for the digital age. The first step is defining what digital safety is.
What is digital safety?
Digital safety means having the knowledge and tools to navigate the online world while staying protected from harm. Creating this awareness requires understanding the relationship between child psychology and technology. Digital safety encompasses various approaches at different stages of life. The primary concern is to inform parents and educators about both the benefits and risks associated with using digital tools.
When children are younger and less able to think critically for themselves, parents and educators need to create awareness around issues such as cyberbullying, screen addiction, privacy and age-inappropriate content. This involvement is crucial in ensuring a child’s online safety.
In a South African context, according to a case study by ZADNA, many parents may not have had the same exposure to digital tools during their upbringing and, therefore, may require external support in managing their children’s online behaviour. Technical tools can be helpful in these cases, including timers that shut down devices after a specific period and messenger apps that track communication between a child and their friends.
In addition to technical tools, it’s also essential to create awareness about some of the most common issues regarding online safety for kids, which include the following: To provide some general online parenting tips, here are some of the most common issues to be aware of when it comes to online safety for kids:
Cyberbullying
Cyberbullying occurs when children experience bullying via digital platforms, such as messaging and social media apps. Creating fake content with the intention of embarrassing or harming someone else can also occur.
Screen addiction
When a child would rather spend time on their device than interact with others, this can be problematic for social interaction. This phenomenon is known as “phubbing”. Phubbing describes the act of snubbing someone in favour of a mobile phone or other device. This behaviour is problematic because it can be a sign of excessive screen time and lead to a lack of social interaction, which impacts a child’s ability to develop social skills and emotional intelligence.
As Adeyemi’s article highlights, studies have shown that excessive screen time can lead to loneliness and lower social wellbeing. Spending a lot of time on social media apps, where children may experience negative peer pressure, can also lead to lower self-esteem and challenges like depression and anxiety.
Privacy
Data privacy is a concern for everyone online. For children, this can be especially hazardous if they are not informed about privacy risks, as they may share personal information, such as credit card details, without understanding the risks involved.
Age-inappropriate content
Parents and educators should regulate the use of online content to make sure that children do not view age-inappropriate content, such as pornography or excessive violence. As digital predators are also a significant concern, children must be wary of engaging with strangers online to prevent exploitation and abuse.
Common digital risks at each developmental stage
Recognising the most common digital risks at each development stage can help parents and educators avoid risks and develop constructive ways to manage online behaviour. With the proper knowledge and strategies, it’s possible to navigate the digital world safely and confidently.
Below, we’ll outline some of the key risks at each stage of development, as per the academic article referenced above:
Toddlers & preschoolers
While online tools used with parental involvement can enhance vocabulary, research suggests that excessive screen time can negatively affect sleep. A combination of tech and early learning can help teach reading and math skills, but it can also lead to shortened attention spans, which can negatively impact self-regulation.
Primary school and pre-teens
A key consideration at this time is monitoring gaming, YouTube and social media use. While online tools offer opportunities to connect, social media apps, for example, can affect a child’s self-esteem if they struggle with feelings of inadequacy.
Kids and social media
Peer pressure and social comparison are an inevitable part of life, but digital tools can amplify these difficulties. When children have phones and are chatting online, there is also an increased risk of cyberbullying and exposure to harmful content.
Using digital tools also has a psychological impact, which we’ll outline next.
Psychological impacts of unregulated tech use
As we’ve touched on above, screen time can have potentially adverse effects when not managed correctly. Some of these risks include the following:
- Emotional regulation: Recognising the connection between emotional development and technology is crucial. Excessive screen use can lead to issues with self-regulation, which can negatively impact their behaviour.
- Attention spans: The stimulating nature of online content can affect children’s concentration spans, which impacts their ability to function optimally in other areas of their lives.
- Sleep disturbances: As many adults also know, too much screen time can affect sleep.
- Social behaviour: The phenomenon of “phubbing” shows that many young people may prefer to spend time on their devices, which can impact their social development.
While these risks are concerning, building digital resilience and striking a balance between screen time and other activities can help mitigate them.
How to build digital resilience in early childhood
It can be overwhelming and scary for parents and educators to consider the negative impacts of technology. However, by setting boundaries, discussing online behaviour, and viewing media together, it’s possible to set realistic expectations around safe screen time and make sure we are protecting young minds from online harm.
Most importantly, it’s critical to empower children not to fear technology, but to have the awareness and tools at their disposal to navigate the online world. For example, when children experience inappropriate interactions in online spaces, they should know how to report these incidents and block the individuals responsible.
It’s also vital to create a safe space for sharing, so that children know they can talk about their experiences with parents and educators without fear of retribution or consequences. Therefore, digital safety needs to be part of learning and overall digital wellness from a young age.
Why early digital education matters
With the rise of Artificial Intelligence (AI), children’s online lives are set to evolve as online platforms adapt to and incorporate cutting-edge data processing technologies. In a changing world, it’s critical to be aware of the longer-term impacts on self-esteem and empathy, and to cultivate healthy and empowered online citizenship.
The truth is, we don’t know precisely what the long-term effects of using technology will be. All we can do now is create a balanced approach to technology use and empower ourselves and our children or students to navigate an unpredictable world.
At SACAP Global, we offer a range of short online courses and workshops that can empower both parents and educators. To learn more, register for the Digital Childhood and Wellbeing webinar. This course offers insights into creating supportive digital environments at home, in schools and in society.
Other short online courses that can offer guidance in this area include the following:
- Counselling Children & Youth
- Psychological Theories of Child & Adolescent Development
- Integrating Gestalt Therapy When Working with Children
- Understanding Play Therapy
FAQ:
1. What are the main concerns of unregulated tech use in children?
Research suggests that unregulated tech use can impact children psychologically. This includes issues such as emotional regulation, shortened attention spans, and sleep disturbances. Tech use can also negatively affect social development, as many young people prefer to use their devices instead of engaging in person.
2. How does digital safety differ for children at different ages?
Digital safety is a concern at all ages and stages of life. However, each stage presents its own challenges. For example, for toddlers and preschoolers, parents should limit screen time to enhance sleep and attention. For older children, it’s critical to monitor social media use, gaming, and exposure to harmful content, as well as empower them to deal with cyberbullying.
3. What is "digital resilience", and how can I help my child build it?
Digital resilience involves being able to navigate the sometimes overwhelming and unpredictable digital world. By setting clear boundaries, having open discussions about online behaviour, and co-viewing media, parents and educators can empower children to handle online risks.
4. Why is privacy a concern for children online?
Privacy is a significant concern because children may share their personal information online without understanding the risks involved. With growing concerns around exposure to harmful content, children, parents, and educators must receive proper education on data privacy risks.
5. What is the greatest challenge around monitoring social media usage for kids?
A key concern regarding social media use among children is its potential impact on self-esteem and mental health. Constant social comparisons and peer pressure, as well as cyberbullying, can lead to feelings of social inadequacy. Another risk is exposure to harmful content, which can be challenging to regulate without proper education and adequate parental controls.
