The Digital Spin

Some months back, I was on the phone with my sister, and she was expressing concerns about my 3 and half year-old nephew. She realized that excessive screen time was affecting other activities he should engage in, social interaction, and his behavior in general. He had become more irritable and less engaged with people, and even the environment. At the end of that conversation, we had decided to drastically reduce his screen time and encourage more interactive and physical activities. Three months down the line, we can see evident improvements in his behavior and relationships with others, and even in his willingness to participate in other activities. It is amazing to see how a balanced approach to media can make such a positive difference!   Media can be seen everywhere these days and has now become a big part of our lives, including the lives of young children. While media can offer great opportunities such as learning materials, games, and cartoons, it is important to help...

  How can you help children with the first steps in digital media in preschool? Introducing digital media to preschoolers involves making the experience enjoyable, creative, and informative. The first step is to choose appropriate technology and ensure that it complements other forms of play. I would start by allowing children to experiment with simple apps or tools that promote creativity, such as digital drawing or story-making programs, technology that can be used for education rather than entertainment. Encouraging children to use digital media for creativity rather than consumption is an excellent first step. What is media education and media literacy? Media education wants to teach children how to deal with media responsibly and carefully. It is not only about using technology but also about helping children understand what they see and hear. For example, helping children recognize that some material is teaching them to think critically about what they watch or play. Med...