Review of Research on the Relationship Between Digital Technology Use and Child Development

Abstract

This review paper aims to present the results of recent research on the relation between the use of digital technology and children's development. The paper describes the importance of the topic and gives a systematic overview of empirical research on the topic of the paper. The results of recent research show that the use of digital technology in children is associated, albeit low to moderate, with their physical, social, emotional, and cognitive development. The content that is viewed, created, and listened to through digital technology devices and the time and circumstances of children's use of digital technology determine whether the effects of the use of digital technology on children's development will be positive or negative. This review of current research indicates the need to further examine the factors that may mediate and/or moderate the relationship between the use of digital technology and children's development, and the need to develop a theoretical framework to integrate current knowledge and direct future research in the field.