‘I don't even know what blogging is’: the role of digital media in a five-year-old girl's life

Abstract

Using a qualitative lens, this study investigated the role of digital media in the life of a five-year-old girl. The study focused on determining what this five-year-old knew about technology, what digital tools was she currently using and how important were these tools in her everyday life. Data collection included semi-structured interviews which were structured around digital and print-based elicitation devices (e.g. digital cameras and books). Findings from this study showed digital media did not engulf all aspects of this child's life; rather, she enjoys and engages with many different activities, both traditional and digitally based. Further research documenting children's introduction and engagement with digital technology is recommended, to better understand children's emergent digital literacy skills.

Keywords:

• emergent digital literacy
• children
• digital media
• early literacy

Notes on contributors

Laura Teichert is a PhD student in the Department of Language and Literacy Education at UBC. Her research interests are in the areas of family literacy and young children's engagement with digital tools and its influence on literacy development.

Ann Anderson is professor in Curriculum and Pedagogy at UBC. Her research interests are in the areas of young children's perspectives and parent and children's engagement in mathematics in the early years.

Notes

1. Violet is the pseudonym chosen by the participant.