One-stop hub to educate and safeguard children
A new resource led by the Australian Catholic University will provide evidence-based information and resources for educators and families to help teach and protect children in the digital world.
The comprehensive Web site is the result of a landmark four-year Young Children in Digital Society research project led by the ACU in collaboration with education and health experts from Curtin University, Deakin University, Monash University, La Trobe University, and the University of Canberra.
Lead researcher, Professor Suzy Edwards, of the ACU’s Institute for Learning Sciences and Teacher Education, said the new Web site was a go-to hub for early learning services and educators wanting to help children aged from birth to eight years and their families be safe and active in the digital world.
“This Web site has free-to-access resources that remove guesswork when it comes to best practice in keeping children actively and safely engaged, entertained, and educated in the digital world”, she said. “The resources will benefit children, their families, and educators through easy-to-use and evidence-based exemplar practices children and adults can use at home or in their early learning services.”
The Web site, created following research into the four areas of technology use outlined in the Early Childhood Australia (ECA) Statement on Young Children and Digital Technologies – relationships, health and wellbeing, citizenship, and play and pedagogy – features 40 new resources for educators and families including:
- Articles on topics including how to use technology to build relationships and social skills, ways digital technology can support peer-to-peer interaction between children, and tips on how digital technology can be used to spark physical activity.
- Videos to support families to safely enjoy digital content together including a segment on the iconic Australian TV show Play School that supports children in building early understanding about safely communicating with people they know in real life online, as well as ways to transition from technology to non-digital activities, and how to link digital content to children’s interests.
- Webinars, interactive modules, picture books, and animation for children, parents and guardians, and early childhood educators about online safety.
ECA, the eSafety Commissioner, ABC Kids, the Australian Federal Police, Raising Children Network, the Alannah & Madeline Foundation, and Deeper Richer, were also partners on the Australian Research Council funded study, which led to the creation of the new Young Children in Digital Society Web site.
Australia’s eSafety Commissioner, Julie Inman Grant, said children were engaging with digital technology from a young age and educators needed to be empowered to help parents and carers navigate online issues.
“This groundbreaking research project will provide an additional comprehensive resource for educators, parents and broader family members to ensure that children are harnessing the benefits of the digital world while minimising the risks”, she said.
“Technology services are not built in the best interests of the child so it’s up to all of us to ensure that children’s best interests are realised when they are online.” Professor Edwards said the user-friendly Web site was designed with children’s best interests at heart.
“We know young children and their families live in a digital world and children must be able to use digital technology in a safe, effective, and informed way. To do this, service providers, families and educators need access to evidence-based advice and resources – and that is exactly what we’ve delivered”, she said.
Also involved in the project were We Belong Family Day Care, Playgroup Western Australia, Lady Gowrie Tasmania, Pope Road Kindergarten, Berwick and District Woodworkers Club, and C & K Childcare & Kindergarten.
Young Children in Digital Society