Zdominowani przez technologię informatyczno-komunikacyjną : o konsekwencjach naznaczenia cyfrowym dzieciństwem

Abstract

The aim of the study is to demonstrate the significance of information and communication technologies for the health and development of young children. A meta-analysis of the phenomenon has been carried out on the basis of the literature on the subject and statistical data. Attempts have been made to highlight the consequences – both positive and negative – of the participation of digital technology in the process of upbringing, because there is no doubt that today’s children are born and grow up in a world dominated by new technology, which means that most of their first childhood experiences have a visual and media character. Statistics confirm the fact that the youngest children devote more and more time to new media, and the age of the children who use new media has fallen. However, the abuse of mobile digital media and the Internet by the youngest is associated with many threats and potential problems in the area of health and psycho-social functioning. Due to the fact that, most commonly, it is parents that are children’s first teachers, they should introduce their children to the world of media with attention to “maintaining a balance between technical and cultural aspect of their development”, both perceiving the positive sides of media and its use by the child, as well as being aware of and informed about potential threats (J. Morbitzer). Frequently, indispensable in this process is the pedagogization of parents and media education, which through the transfer of knowledge, shaping skills and attitudes allows to create rational, responsible and safe models of functioning in the world of media.