Detailing the digital experience : Parent reports of children's media use in the home learning environment

Screen media occupy an increasing role in young children's play and learning environments. This paper advances the current discussion of the changing digital lives of children, with new insights of media use in the homes of Australian families (N = 406). Parents reported their child's technology ownership, engagement with traditional and new media, joint media engagement, as well as children's preferences and quantity of media use. From 2014 to 2017, cross-sectional data were collected via media use questionnaire from families with a child 8 years of age or younger. Of all the media activities, children most frequently participated in reading (paper-based or eBooks) and watching television. Children's touchscreen use indicated a variety of choices from the “digital toy box,” referring to the numerous apps available and their potential to serve as a medium for play. This data can inform policy and practice of researchers, educators and family engagement specialists and optimize early learning potential prior to formal schooling.