ERIC Number: EJ1438685
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2024
Pages: 37
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1040-9289
EISSN: EISSN-1556-6935
How Early Digital Experience Shapes Young Brains during 0-12 Years: A Scoping Review
Dandan Wu; Xinyi Dong; Danqing Liu; Hui Li
Early Education and Development, v35 n7 p1395-1431 2024
Research Findings: Early digital experience (e.g. screen time and digital use) is believed to impact children's brain development, functionally and structurally, but this impact has not been systematically reviewed. In this scoping review, we synthesized and evaluated 33 collected studies on children's digital use (ages 0-12) and their associated brain development published between January 2000 and April 2023. The synthesis of the evidence revealed that (1) digital experience does have positive and negative impacts on children's brains, structurally and functionally; (2) it could cause structural and functional changes in children's frontal, parietal, temporal, and occipital lobes, brain connectivity, and brain networks; and the most vulnerable area is the prefrontal cortex and its associated executive function, and (3) early digital experience has both positive and negative impacts on children's brain structure longitudinally. Practice or Policy: Educators and parents should be aware of the potential effects of digital experience on children's brain development and provide appropriate guidance, mediation, and support for children's digital use. Policymakers should establish and implement evidence-based policies and regulations to protect children's digital well-being.
Descriptors: Children, Brain Hemisphere Functions, Digital Literacy, Literature Reviews, Technology, Child Development, Physical Development, Early Experience, Influence of Technology
Routledge. Available from: Taylor & Francis, Ltd. 530 Walnut Street Suite 850, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Tel: 800-354-1420; Tel: 215-625-8900; Fax: 215-207-0050; Web site: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Information Analyses
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A