Title: The phenomenon of information-communication technology in the homes of four-year-old preschool children in Slovenia

Authors: Jurka Lepicnik Vodopivec; Pija Samec

Addresses: Faculty of Education, University of Primorska, Cankarjeva 5, SI – 6000 Koper, Slovenia ' Radvanjska cesta 45, SI – 2000 Maribor, Slovenia

Abstract: We live in an era defined by creating, conveying, sharing and storing vast amounts of information and the phenomenon of information-communication technology (ICT). Its overwhelming presence affects mainly the youngest members of our society - children. Therefore, authors decided to investigate to what extent four-year-old preschool children use ICT at home, how often they access it, ICTs influences on their development and their attitude towards ICT. Authors based on their study on data gathered with anonymous surveying of 130 parents whose children attend kindergarten. They also searched for differences according to children's gender and parents' level of education, toy industry market and family habitus. In addition, they investigated if ICT usage affects the nature of childhood and if using ICT influences the occurrence of the digital divide. They also include recommendations and guidelines for preschool educators. Authors conclude that children like to use ICT, but yet do not overuse it.

Keywords: information and communications technology; ICT; preschool children; home computing; competence development; learning; digital divide; four-year-olds; four-year-old children; Slovenia; kindergarten; gender; parental education level; toy industry market; family habitus.

DOI: 10.1504/IJIL.2017.083405

International Journal of Innovation and Learning, 2017 Vol.21 No.3, pp.364 - 373

Received: 22 Nov 2015
Accepted: 11 Jan 2016
Published online: 27 Mar 2017 *

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