Through the Eyes of Early Childhood Students: Television, Tablet Computers, Internet and Smartphones
Publication details
| Year: | 2018 |
| DOI: | 10.19195/1899-5101.11.1(20).4 |
| Issued: | 2018 |
| Language: | English |
| Volume: | 11 |
| Issue: | 1 |
| Start Page: | 56 |
| End Page: | 70 |
| Editors: | |
| Authors: | Çetintaş H.; Turan Z. |
| Type: | Journal article |
| Journal: | Central European Journal of Communication |
| Publisher: | Polish Communication Association |
| Topics: | Literacy and skills |
| Sample: | The is study was conducted with 34 preschool students who received education in two different schools (state and private) in Turkey during the 2016–2017 academic year. 4 girls and 4 boys from state school and 14 girls and 12 boys from private school. Also, when both groups (state and private) were examined, it was seen that there was not much difference in the way to access media tools by children. |
| Implications For Stakeholders About: | Researchers |
Abstract
The features, functions, and usage of media and media environment which have an important role in the lives of today’s children are increasing day by day. This study aims to evaluate media environments and the children’s experience from their points of view. The study followed the qualitative design and the participants of the study consisted of 34 preschool students. Children were asked questions to learn their opinions about television, tablet computers, the internet, and smartphones. The results revealed that children had knowledge about the media environment and they used it intensively. However, they were not aware of the possible dangers of the media contents substantially. It was understood that children did not get any knowledge or education about media usage and most of the children encountered negative content. The results suggest a need for training in media literacy for children.
Outcome
According to the study results, television is a tool used to watch something, a tablet computer is a tool used to play games, the internet is a tool used to install or download something, and a smartphone is a tool used to talk to someone for children. Based on these fi ndings, it can be said that pre-school children are aware of what media tools can be used for. On the other hand, it was observed that children are ignorant and unaware of the risks and threats they may encounter in television, tablet computer, the internet, and smartphone.