To Digital or not to Digital: How Mothers are Navigating the Digital World with their Young Children

Authors

  • Laura Teichert

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.20360/G22P5W

Abstract

We know many children are using digital tools, such as mobile phones and tablets. Much has been debated about the appropriateness of these tools in the lives of young children (e.g., American Academy of Pediatrics, 2001, 2011; National Association for the Education of Young Children, 2012). Yet, parents are engaged in digital practices. Adults’ beliefs about the appropriateness of digital media for children influence the environments they create for young children and potentially influence children’s exposure to and interactions with digital tools. This paper describes the digital literacy practices of three families and reports on the tensions mothers felt in whether to allow their children to participate in these practices.

Author Biography

Laura Teichert

Laura Teichert is a PhD candidate in the Department of Language and Literacy Education at UBC. Before returning to studies, she worked in elementary education and as an Early Literacy Specialist. Her research interests are in the areas of early literacy and family literacy, particularly young children’s digital engagement and families’ digital literacy practices in their homes.

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Published

2017-05-02

How to Cite

Teichert, L. (2017). To Digital or not to Digital: How Mothers are Navigating the Digital World with their Young Children. Language and Literacy, 19(1), 63–76. https://doi.org/10.20360/G22P5W

Issue

Vol. 19 No. 1 (2017): Special Issue: Community Literacies: Research and Practice; Editors: Nicola Friedrich and Carol Doyle-Jones

Section

Articles

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