Research Reviews

The pervasiveness in society of digital and mobile media continue to spread unabated and even young children, including toddlers, have become important users. Research into the use and effects of digital technologies with young children, especially in the age range 0 to 8 years, is not as prolific as one would expect, given the large amount of learning that occurs with young children. In 2003, and again in 2005, the Kaiser Family Foundation studied the use of digital technologies and young children from 0 to 6 years of age. The Kaiser Family Foundation reports have now been expanded by a new report published by Common Sense Media. The new study by Common Sense Media called Zero to Eight: Children’s Media Use in America which can be assumed to mean in the United States of America, contains a number of surprising findings. ‘A survey of 1,384 parents of children age 0 to 8 years old’ (p. 15) was completed and analysed. Respondents without access to digital technology were provided with a computer by the researchers to ensure a more comprehensive response across income levels. The report refers to digital media meaning ‘console video games, computers, cell phones, handheld video game players, video iPods and iPads and other tablet devices’ (p. 15) and mobile media meaning ‘cell phones, video iPods, and iPads and other tablet devices’ (p. 15) for the purposes of the survey.