Children's Digital Research Articles

“We Were Beaten Down”: Parents' Concerns about Children's Digital Media Use

ABSTRACTParents' concerns about children's digital media use were investigated using data from semi‐structured interviews with 17 parents of children ages five to 11 at three branches of a U.S. urban public library system. Data were analyzed using collaborative inductive thematic analysis and analyzed with the lens of culturally‐constructed anxieties about new media. The most common concerns included worries about exposure to inappropriate content, worries about digital media taking up time that children would otherwise spend engaging in more meaningful activities, concerns about safety and privacy, and worries about negative effects on children's behaviors, attitudes, and social skills. Further analysis showed parents' deeper concern for children's healthy development to underlie these narrower concerns. The authors conclude with the recommendation to shift the framing of discourse around parenting with digital media from risk protection to digital media education. Such a shift could raise awareness that framing children and digital media only in terms of risks is overly simplistic, and it could help parents come to understand that children's digital media use is not just risky but also an opportunity for children to derive educational and social benefits, and learn how to operate in a digital media‐dominated information ecosystem.

The Role of Placental DNA Methylation at Reproduction-Related Genes in Associations between Prenatal Bisphenol Analogues Exposure and the Digit Ratio in Children at Age 4: A Birth Cohort Study.

Placental DNA methylation (DNAm) may be a potential mechanism underlying the effects of prenatal bisphenol analogues (BPs) exposure on reproductive health. Based on the Shanghai-Minhang Birth Cohort Study (S-MBCS), this study investigated associations of placental DNAm at reproduction-related genes with prenatal BPs exposure and children's digit ratios at age 4 using multiple linear regression models, and mediation analysis was further used to examine the mediating role of placental DNAm in the associations between prenatal BPs exposure and digit ratios among 345 mother-child pairs. Prenatal exposure to bisphenol A (BPA) was associated with hypermethylation at Protocadherin 8 (PCDH8), RBMX Like 2 (RBMXL2), and Sperm Acrosome Associated 1 (SPACA1), while bisphenol F (BPF) exposure was associated with higher methylation levels of Fibroblast Growth Factor 13 (FGF13). Consistent patterns were found in associations between higher DNAm at the 4 genes and increased digit ratios. Further mediation analysis showed that about 15% of the effect of BPF exposure on increased digit ratios was mediated by placental FGF13 methylation. In conclusion, the altered placental DNAm status might be a mediator underlying the feminizing effect of prenatal BPs exposure.

Associations between Parental Educational Attainment, Children's 24-h Behaviors and Children's Hyperactivity Behavior in the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Parental Educational Attainment and children's 24-h behaviors significantly influenced children's hyperactivity symptoms. This study aimed to examine the mediating role of children's 24-h behavior changes due to the COVID-19 pandemic between Parental Educational Attainment and children's hyperactivity index. It also aimed to investigate the associations between Children's Physical Activity, digital media use, sleep, and hyperactivity index between two clusters of Parental Educational Attainments. The goal was to provide targeted behavioral optimization recommendations for caregivers to reduce the risk of children's hyperactivity. The study was a collaborative extension of the International iPreschooler Surveillance Study Among Asians and otheRs project and the Chinese Children and Adolescent Sports Health Promotion Action Project. The Parent-Surveillance of Digital Media in Childhood Questionnaire® and the Abbreviated Rating Scales from the Conners Parent Symptom Questionnaire were used to measure Parental Educational Attainment, children's behavior changes during the COVID-19 pandemic, and hyperactivity indexes. A total of 11,190 parents of 6-to-12-year-old children completed the online surveys in mainland China. A structural equation model was established by using Smart-PLS, and the linear regression model, and isotemporal substitution models were established by using a Compositional Data Analysis package with R program to achieve the research objectives. Changes in children's 24-h behaviors due to the COVID-19 pandemic had a significant mediation effect on the negative associations between Parental Educational Attainment and children's hyperactivity index (β = 0.018, T = 4.521, p < 0.001) with a total effect (β = -0.046, T = 4.521, p < 0.001) and a direct effect (β = -0.064, T = 6.330, p < 0.001). Children's Digital Media use was significantly and negatively associated with hyperactivity index among all children. Reallocated time from digital media use to both sleep and physical activity decreased the hyperactivity index, and vice-versa. For parents without tertiary education (R2 = 0.09, p < 0.001), sleep was significantly and negatively associated with the hyperactivity index (βilr-CSL = -0.06, p < 0.001); for parents with tertiary education (R2 = 0.07, p < 0.001), physical activity was significantly and negatively associated with the hyperactivity index (βilr-CPA = -0.05, p < 0.001), and sleep was significantly and positively associated with the hyperactivity index (βilr-CSL = 0.03, p < 0.001). A significant increase in the hyperactivity index was detected when physical activity time was reallocated to sleep, with a significant decrease in the opposite direction. Parental Educational Attainment and children's 24-h behaviors directly influenced children's hyperactivity index. However, a purposeful and targeted optimization of children's 24-h behaviors-namely, physical activity, digital media use, and sleep-could assist parents with different educational attainments to reduce their children's hyperactivity index and mitigate the risk of hyperactivity.

Navigating Digital Risks and Benefits: Malaysian Parents' Perceptions of Their Children's Digital Media UsageNavigating Digital Risks and Benefits: Malaysian Parents' Perceptions of Their Children's Digital Media Usage

In this article, we explore how Malaysian parents view their children's use of digital media. We studied 645 parents from various backgrounds to understand how they navigate the world of digital devices and content. Our research dives into the fine line parents walk between what they see as the risks and the benefits in this digital landscape. What we discovered is that these parents have a pretty nuanced view. They see the positives—like how digital media can boost education, improve communication, and expose their kids to diverse cultures. But at the same time, they worry. They're concerned about things like too much screen time, exposure to inappropriate stuff, and how it might affect their kids' physical activity.Our study found that different things influence how parents see these issues. Factors like how much education parents have, how much they earn, and the ages of their kids play a role in shaping their views. With Malaysia becoming more and more digital, our research aims to help policymakers, teachers, and parents themselves. By getting a handle on what worries and excites parents about digital media, we hope to find ways to make it work better for everyone. Our goal is to figure out how to make the most of the good stuff digital media offers while finding ways to deal with the concerns. Ultimately, we want to create a digital world that's healthier and more balanced for Malaysian kids.

Empowering Parents Protects Children: How Social Media Legislation That Reinforces The Right to Parenthood Will Promote Children's Digital Safety

Empowering Parents Protects Children: How Social Media Legislation That Reinforces The Right to Parenthood Will Promote Children's Digital Safety

Generative AI for Children's Digital Health: Clinician Advice.

Generative AI for Children's Digital Health: Clinician Advice.

Impact of Children's Digital Device Usage on Their Cognitive Function: A Comprehensive Literature Analysis

This paper comprehensively reviews and analyzes relevant literature on the use of digital devices and children's cognitive development, exploring the impact of children's digital device usage on their cognitive function. The analysis reveals that prolonged use of digital devices can have negative effects on children's cognitive development, such as attention issues, delayed language development, and decreased learning abilities. However, appropriate and targeted use of digital devices can positively enhance children's cognitive development, including improving attention, expanding language skills, and enhancing learning and memory. Based on the research findings, the paper provides the following recommendations: improving the digital environment to ensure children's healthy growth, creating a positive family environment, and enhancing training on the use of digital devices, as well as establishing guidelines for children's digital device usage.

Available DSpace Repositories in Nepal: Describing their Local Adoptions

Digital library making has been basic requirements for the modern libraries. Instead of documents in papers, information is acquired and managed in some digital platform. One of the digital library platforms is DSpace, started in 2002. The collection of digital documents in DSpace is named DSpace repository. The main collection in DSpace repository is institutionally generated digital documents; hence, it is also synonymously termed as institutional repository. This study explored the existing Institutional Repository System (IRS) that was built in DSpace software in Nepal. Nepal, in South Asia, developed IRS in 2009. Literature suggested extensive studies about IRS in other South Asian countries, while Nepal was reported rarely. Moreover, Nepal was described as scanter than reality. There are nine IRS built-in DSpace in Nepal, enriching the collection from 101 to 15218. Except for three IRS, all other five IRS have their customized userinterface. They are on the way to improving their collection. Open Learning Education (OLE) Nepal has the highest collection and has diversified types of collections for kids. It is developed as Children's Digital Library. Except for three IRS, all are academic. So, these IRS have accommodated documents for academic purposes. They served students, teachers, researchers, and scholars.

An Investigation of Processes of Children's Digital Technologies Usage from the Perspective of Digital Age Parents

The developments in digital technologies and their widespread use among children day by day bring the need to investigate the processes of children's use of digital technologies. The purpose of this study is to investigate the processes of children's digital technologies usage from the perspective of digital age parents. The phenomenology pattern is used to conduct the study. The study group consists of 15 parents, selected according to the criterion sampling. A semi-structured interview form is used as a data collection tool. Content analysis is used in the analysis of the data. It is found that the majority of parents do not find digital environments safe. Parents stated the negative effects of digital technologies on children as developing various addictions, health problems, decline in academic success, decline in face to face communication skills, moving away from real life experiences, and moving away from cultural values. The majority of parents indicated that they did not witness a negative event that their children experienced in digital environments. Another important result is that the majority of children do not seek help from their parents regarding the problems they encounter in digital environments. It is recommended that parents should create an environment of trust where their children can share their negative situations and establish a strong communication with their children.

Association of changes in grip strength with second digit length adjusted for fourth digit length in young children.

The factors involved in changes in grip strength (GS) during growth/development are not well known. Findings from cross-sectional studies have indicated that digit lengths are associated with physical fitness, including GS. This study aimed to investigate the association of changes in GS over 1 year and the second (2D) and fourth (4D) digit lengths in young children using the 4D as a covariate. One hundred and three young children (54 boys and 49 girls) performed maximum voluntary GS and ultrasound-measured forearm muscle thickness measurements in the right hand. All participants completed the first measurement and underwent a second measurement 1 year after the first one. The 2D and 4D were taken on the palmar surface of the outstretched right hand at the second measurement. The 2D was inversely associated with the change in GS (B = -2.1, p = 0.023) adjusted for all covariates. Girls had numerically lower adjusted changes in grip strength, although this was not statistically significant [-0.61 (-1.2, 0.02) kg]. When sex was removed from the model, the 2D remained inversely associated with the change in GS (B = -2.39, p = 0.011). Finally, when only adjusting for the 4D, the 2D was inversely associated with the change in GS (B = -3.07, p = 0.004). This study documented the association between changes in GS over 1 year and digit lengths in young children. The difference in children's digit length needs to be recognized as a factor involved in weak GS in children.

Speech recognition in the presence of speech maskers in children

Listening to a target talker in the presence of other talkers follows a protracted developmental period. Such listening skills are critical for speech-language development and have clinical value. The purpose of the present study was to examine speech-in-speech recognition ability using digits in children. The major advantages of using digits are that it overcomes the biggest challenge of test administration, and digits are among the few first words children learn. Data were collected from 32 normal-hearing children (4–12 years) using full bandwidth speech materials. The test had four conditions like the Listening in Spatial Noise test. (1) Low cue: The target (male talker) and two male maskers were presented from the front. (2) Talker advantage: The target and two female maskers were presented from the front. (3) Spatial advantage: The target was presented from the front, and two male maskers were presented, one each from ±90°. (4) The target was presented from the front, and two female maskers were presented, one from ±90°. Results demonstrate developmental effects, good test-retest reliability, and feasibility of the computerized version of the test. Furthermore, results will be discussed in the context of various conditions and potential clinical applications.

Normalizing Black Students/Youth and their Families' Digital andSTEAMLiteracies

AbstractDue to the paucity of research that focuses on the digital and STEAM literacy practices of Black students and youth and their families in home and community spaces, this article acts as a call for awareness to understand the already‐existing digital practices that acknowledges and honors their racial, cultural, and social lives. Lewis Ellison addresses four primary questions that K‐12 teachers must be aware of concerning Black parents, students and youth in digital and STEM spaces: Why are Black Students’/ Youth and Families’ Digital Literacy Practices important? What can we learn from Black Parents’ Narratives about their Children's Digital and STEAM Literacies? What do Black Students/Youth Wish their Teachers Knew about Them? What Should Digital and STEM Literacy Practices Look Like for Black Students/Youth? These questions are important when thinking about Black students’ and youth's digital literacy learning and proficiencies because as the education and political world keeps changing, they need digital literacy skills for every area of their lives. Once we understand the roles we play in centering their lives and practices, then we can advance teacher education, and then we can begin a discussion to normalize Black students and their families’ digital and STEAM literacies and practices.

Developing Children's Digital Literacy by Storybooks

Developing Children's Digital Literacy by Storybooks

Examination of Mothers' Opinions Regarding Children's Digital Playing

The first periods of human life are defined as critical periods by educators. The child's recognizing and making sense of the outside world usually starts in this period and the child harmonizes this process through play. Especially in childhood education and development, play is an indispensable part of life for children. While technological developments make life easier in many areas, they sometimes make people addicted. Therefore, with the widespread use of digital games, a computer addiction occurs in society. The aim of this study is to reveal the views of mothers about children playing digital games. The research is a qualitative study. The research group consists of 30 mothers and this study group was determined by the maximum variation sampling method. In the study, face-to-face interview technique was used on a voluntary basis with 10 mothers who have children under 6 years old. In the research, using the interview method, which is one of the qualitative research methods, the data obtained were analyzed by the content analysis method. As a result of the research, mothers see play as a means of entertainment, socialization and education in terms of children's development. In addition, the research group stated that they could not spare time for children due to intense daily working conditions and children tended to digital games. They stated that when digital games are mentioned, they think of computer, telephone and technological games. As a result, mothers stated that digital games affect the development of children negatively and create addiction in children. In addition, it has been concluded that mothers, digital games create a lack of communication in children, keep them away from social life and slow down their social development.

Parents as Agents of Influence on Children's Digital Skills Development

Transition to the digital environment transforms the schemas of social interaction including the relationship between parents and their children. Many parents who lack digital competence however are called upon to become agents of ‘digital socialization’ for their kids who step into the world of gadgets from an early age.Current study explores parents competence (including, digital); their attitudes towards developing digital competence of their children; their coping strategies in the situations of child addiction to the digital gadgets, computer games and the Internet use; as well as their request to the education system in line with its ubiquitous digitalization. As a research method the authors have chosen the two-stage survey in which 118 participants took part — the parents of elementary school students. The data was analyzed quantitatively and qualitatively. As a result the parents were clustered into several groups on the basis of: their digital attitudes (supporters and antagonists) and their level of digital competence (low-medium-high). Further the data was analyzed within each cluster. The study has revealed that the majority of parents report themselves as competent (60%) or highly competent (17%) digital users. Positive relationships were identified between the parents' digital competence level and 1) their digital attitudes — the higher the level of competence — the more positive were the attitudes; 2) parents active participation in their children’s digital skills development and acknowledging children’s agency in the process of digital self-education. The results reflect the range of parents' opinions which must be taken into account when assisting families in the process of child development and socialization.

Examining Parents Perception on Elementary School Children Digital Safety

ABSTRACT Children are exposed to digital devices at an early age. This study examines parents’ perception of student digital safety on technology use, time spent, parent concerns and knowledge on various digital safety topics. Through a survey-based study, we analyzed data collected from 113 parents. Parents mentioned that their kids use Internet via tablets and laptops primarily to watch videos, play games, and for schoolwork. Parents were knowledgeable about apps and gaps their children used for education and entertainment. Regarding time limits and restricting access, 40% of parents let their kids online for 1–2 hours in a day and 47% of parents set time limits. Parents are concerned all the time about their child’s digital safety with the biggest concern being their kids being exposed to sexual content and them talking to strangers. Parents perceive themselves to be knowledgeable on most of the digital safety topics discussed in this study. Parents recommend to ensure age restrictions and identity verification when using various websites and games. This study has implications for parents of elementary school children.

Bilateral, multiple, trigger digits in a 3-year-old child

A trigger finger is characterized by clicking, catching, or loss of motion of the involved finger and is associated with dysfunction and pain. Trigger digits in the pediatric population are relatively uncommon and multiple, bilateral trigger digits in children are extremely rare. Patients may present with the classical triggering as seen in adults or with digits locked in flexion. In this paper, we are reporting a 3-year-old girl who presented with flexion deformity of multiple digits with involvement of left thumb, middle, ring finger, and right thumb. After a failed trial of conservative management, the patient underwent surgery. Complete correction could be achieved with open division of the A1 pulleys of the involved digits. There has been no recurrence even after 3 years postsurgery. We believe that open release gives satisfactory results even in multiple trigger digits and should be the preferred treatment, especially for children presenting with digits locked in flexion.

English

The study discussed in this article is aimed to evaluate and compare the international digital library websites to explore their performances and efficiencies, based on search engine optimization. Moz Link Explorer and Google PageRank—two freely available search engine optimization sources—have been used as webometric tools for collecting the required data from the websites of selected digital libraries. Web impact factor (WIF) for each digital library website has also been calculated in terms of internal web impact factor (IWIF), external web impact factor (EWIF), and simple web impact factor (SWIF). The investigation revealed that amongst all the 10 selected international digital libraries, the World Digital Library leads with the highest page authority, external followed link, total links, linking domains, and followed linking domains. The Universal Digital Library with the highest ‘domain authority’ has the lowest linking domains and followed linking domains. The lowest domain authority and page authority is attributed to Digital Library of International Research while lowest number of total links is attributed to Digital Library of Georgia. In terms of Google PageRank evaluation, Universal Digital Library has secured the highest page rank and Core Page Review (CPR) score, however, is in a low position in terms of the lowest referring domains, global rank, indexed URLs, trust flow, trust metric as well as weak page rank quality. Subsequently, the exploration of web impact factor of the select digital libraries disclosed that the International Children's Digital Library secured the first position in terms of IWIF and SWIF. In contrast, on the grounds of EWIF, Universal Digital Library is leading the list.

Stimulation of Social-Emotional of Children's Digital Natives Through Learning Nawung Sekar Dance

Digital Natives is a child born with technological tools in his life, the situation closes the space for real social interaction between humans. The impact of the closed interaction space causes a problem; namely: the development of children's social-emotional abilities well. This study aims to provide an effective alternative method to stimulate children's social-emotional abilities properly to improve their quality of life in the future. The research method used in this study is qualitative research with several multidisciplinary approaches namely: ethnographic approach, art education approach, and child development psychology approach. The subjects of the study were digital natives (early childhood children) who studied Nawung Sekar Dance at the Pamulangan Beksa Sasmita Mardawa dance studio in Yogyakarta. The results of this study found that there was a stimulation of children's social-emotional abilities in the learning process of Nawung Sekar dance at the Pamulangan Beksa Sasmita Mardawa dance studio in Yogyakarta. This was demonstrated through the occurrence of polite manners in Javanese culture through movements implied in the Nawung Sekar Dance. Keywords: Classical Dance Style Yogyakarta; Nawung Sekar; Social Emotion; Digital Natives. Abstrak Anak digital natives adalah anak yang terlahir dengan perangkat teknologi dalam kehidupannya, situasi tersebut menutup ruang interaksi sosial antar manusia secara nyata. Dampak dari tertutupnya ruang interaksi secara nyata menyebabkan sebuah permasalahan; yaitu: tidak berkembangnya kemampuan sosial emosi anak dengan baik. Penelitian ini bertujuan memberikan alternative metode yang efektif untuk menstimulasi kemampuan sosial emosi anak dengan benar sehingga mampu meningkatkan kualitas hidupnya di masa depan. Metode penelitian yang dipergunakan dalam penelitian ini adalah penelitian kualitatif dengan beberapa pendekatan multidispliner yaitu: pendekatan etnografi, pendekatan Pendidikan seni dan pendekatan psikologi perkembangan anak. Subyek penelitian adalah anak digital natives (anak yang berusia dini) yang belajar tari Nawung Sekar di sanggar tari Yayasan Pamulangan Beksa Sasmita Mardawa Yogyakarta. Hasil dari penelitian ini ditemukan bahwa terjadi stimulasi kemampuan sosial emosi anak dalam proses belajar tari Nawung Sekar di sanggar tari Yayasan Pamulangan Beksa Sasmita Mardawa Yogyakarta. Hal tersebut ditunjukkan melalui terjadinya pengenalan sikap sopan-santun dalam budaya jawa melalui gerakan-gerakan yang tersirat dalam tari Nawung Sekar.Kata Kunci: Tari Klasik Gaya Yogyakarta; Nawung Sekar; Sosial Emosi; Digital Natives..

Outcomes of Early and Intensive Use of a Palm and Digit Extension Orthosis in Young Children After Burn Injury.

Burns to the palmar aspect of the hand are prevalent in young children. The development of scar tissue across the flexor surface of the hand combined with the years of growth ahead may result in considerable complications. This study was undertaken to describe outcomes of early and intensive use of a palm and digit extension orthosis with the elbow immobilized at 90° flexion following a palmar hand burn. A retrospective review of 107 children (mean age 18 months [SD 10]) treated at a statewide Pediatric Burns Unit from 2012 to 2016 was performed. Three children (3%) developed contracture during the 24-month study follow-up period. The other 104 children (97%) had full ROM at 24 months or at either the point of discharge or loss to follow-up. Early signs of contracture, defined as loss of full movement or significant banding, developed in 26 children (24%) in the first 9 months after burn. With intensive physiotherapy, 23 children regained full movement by 12 months after burn. Children who did not achieve complete wound healing at 1 month after burn and children with hypertrophic scarring at 2 months after burn were significantly more represented among cases of early signs of contracture (P = .013). When undertaken with regular clinical review, early and intensive use of a palm and digit extension orthosis can maintain full extension of the palm and digits in children after palmar burn.