Understanding the Media in Young Children?s Lives: An Introduction to the Key Debates

This book explores the impact of digital media on young children’s lives and the role that the media and news industries play in the social construction of childhood. It highlights the pressing issues relating to young children’s media use drawing on key research and examines the impact of digital media on their learning, development and socialization.

The chapters recognise the challenges digital media presents children and families, but also demonstrate how media use and engagement can have a positive impact on children’s academic attainment, social capital and opportunities to create and curate online content. Covering key areas of concern such as safety, violence and children’s mental health, the authors provide strategies to help children and families reduce the risks that can arise with digital media use and capitalise on the opportunities it can offer.

Including case study examples and opportunities for reflective practice, this is an essential text for students on Childhood and Early Childhood Studies courses and Early Years Foundation Degrees as well as practitioners wanting to develop their critical understanding of the role of the media in young children’s lives.

Polly Bolshaw is a Senior Lecturer in Early Years at Canterbury Christ Church University. Previously she worked as an Early Years Professional in a Sure Start Children’s Centre. Research interests include the impact of the media on children’s lives and research methods for undergraduate students.

Jo Josephidou is Programme Lead for Early Childhood at The Open University. Previously she has worked as a Early Years school teacher. Research interests include appropriate pedagogies for young children, babies’ and toddlers’ engagement with nature and issues around gender in ECEC.