Growing up healthy in a world of digital media
Eurochild member ELIANT releases a position paper on digital media in childhood and education.
Education has attained high levels of accessibility and inclusiveness and has become remarkably successful in improving global literacy rates. By itself, however, this does not guarantee a positive outcome unless it is backed up by an unbiased reflection on the consequences and the freedom to make informed choices.
ELIANT seeks to safeguard the availability of choice in early childhood education and care, in primary and secondary education. Teachers, caregivers and parents have the collective right to choose the most appropriate educational settings and teaching methods and to tailor media education to the child’s developing needs.
The vision of the alliance is guided by the growing volume of scientific evidence coming from neurological, psychological and behavioural research, which points towards the steps required to ensure healthy human development from the earliest age. These steps must be integrated within any future concept of education so that children can achieve an optimum level of social, emotional, mental, and spiritual health.
Key conclusions
- Strengthen independent, evidence-based research, including long-term studies on how technology affects child development and how education can support healthy growth.
- Launch an EU-wide awareness campaign for parents, teachers, and schools on the effects of screen use on children’s development.
- Ensure access to diverse, affordable teaching approaches, including screen-free options in early and primary education, while meeting overall learning goals.
- Promote ongoing dialogue with stakeholders (e.g. parents, teachers, civil society) to design effective policies.
- Develop education policies that protect children’s health and minimise risks, in line with the precautionary principle.
