Children today grow up in a world where digital media are a natural part of life from an early age. Even at nursery level, tablets, smartphones and interactive learning tools are part of children’s everyday routines – offering opportunities for creative and cognitive development, but also posing risks in the fields of attention, physical activity and social interaction. How children themselves perceive, use and evaluate these technologies has so far been little researched. This is where a new research project at HSD begins.
The project is led by Irene Dittrich, professor of education and Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences and Cultural Studies. It receives federal funding of around €338,000 and is part of a nationwide research consortium. The project is funded by the Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space (BMFTR) from 1 January 2026 to 31 December 2028 and is carried out jointly by Hochschule Düsseldorf – University of Applied Sciences (HSD), University of Applied Sciences Potsdam and the NRW centre for youth media culture (FJMK).
The aim is to understand how children aged three to six experience and use digital media in early childhood education settings. The project will result not only in practical guidance for educational staff, but also in an important contribution to the design of future-oriented, child-friendly learning environments in the digital age.
