Digital Devices in Early Childhood Play: Digital Technology in the First Two Years of Slovene Toddlers’ Lives

Abstract

This article offers a first insight into the digital environment of Slovenian toddlers. We report on the use of digital technology and toys allowed by parents in their children’s home environment. The study is based on the results of an online questionnaire completed by parents of 26 Slovenian children up to 2 years of age (M = 17.8 months; SD = 5.6). On average, 9% of all children’s toys are digital toys and they spend 10% of their play time playing with digital toys. Among the most commonly, but still only occasionally, used digital toys or technology are smartphones and tablets. Compared to other types of digital technology, parents believed that screen-based digital toys in particular supported their child’s skills development. Ultimately, parents do not strongly associate digital technologies with positive developmental and educational effects, but rather they believe that digital technology provides entertainment, enables information-seeking and keeps children busy. Nevertheless they allow, or will allow, the child to use digital technology mainly because they believe it enables learning. Further research, if needed, will be carried out to look closely at the children’s use of digital technology and its effects on young children’s development.