Think of the children?
From conference to conference, the travels continue. This time I’m attending the ending conference of EU Kids Online II, a big project focused on what children do in the Internet. I’ve studied children and families previously, and therefore interested in the recent developments in this field. And, compared to any study I can conduct, this research program provides a statistically valid dataset of 25 000 + families and children across Europe. And, yes, they are in the process of publishing this data for individual researchers, like me.
Well, I don’t attend conferences just to get one SPSS-file, there more in this. I’m currently working with Nokia to solve some of the threats and risks caused by children’s using Internet and connected context-aware handheld devices, or simply put: mobile phones and other gadgets. Based on my current understanding of this phenomenon, the key tools are to increase mediation with parents and peers and to develop media literacy and coping skills in this new World2.0.
As well pointed out by Kuno Sorensen: as we teach our children on traffic and correct behaviors there, we should teach the basics of mediated environments and communication in same way. And, I believe this can be achieved by increasing the interactions and guidance children receive when growing up.
Now you ask: “Well, Matti – that model is a nice sounding idea, but does that really happen … or is this just a daydream?” That is a good point, and requiring evidence is only sensible thing to do. I don’t know if mediation and support affect on the experiences of harm, it sounds valid and sound. But, after getting my hands on the File, I can run some of statistical analysis and see, if this makes sense with data too.
Tags: children, conference, research
September 23rd, 2011 at 8:13 pm
My grandfather wrote the first book on this in England, I think entitled ‘What do children read?’ (Augustus Jack Jenkinson) so I have a long standing interest in this personally as well as socio-politically. I do wonder if some simple suggestions about this could be technologically based. How would I see your research? As a teacher and mathematician, I would like to evaluate the findings and what the research suggests. How could I get involved?
October 7th, 2011 at 1:29 pm
Hi Jack,
The EU Kids research material is available on their website. My own research on this topic is not currently open or public.