Talk by Prof. Dr. Fabio Sticca
Childhood Served on a Digital Tablet?
On the Relationship Between Media Use and Development in Early Childhood
May 19, 2025, 14:30 h
Andreasstrasse 15, 8050 Zurich, AND 3.46 (3rd floor)
Since their introduction, digital media — especially screen-based media — have been at the center of critical social and scientific debates. The media consumption of preschool-aged children is particularly intensively discussed. This presentation explores how children from birth to five years of age in Switzerland use digital media and what developmental implications can be drawn from this. Initial empirical findings on media use in this age group, as well as selected results from various studies, will be presented. These findings are placed within the context of international research in order to enable well-founded conclusions for both further scientific work and educational practice. The goal is to paint a nuanced picture that moves beyond common polarizations and to enrich the discussion about the opportunities and challenges of digital media in early childhood in a constructive way.