Young children (0-8) and digital technology: a qualitative exploratory study. National report. Spain

Abstract

The study is a part of a larger qualitative study carried out across 16 European countries aimed at exploring experiences with digital technologies, e.g. smart phones, tablets, computers, TVs, video-games, etc. of young children aged between 0 and 8 years and their families. The overall research question is: In what ways, if any, are children and/or their families empowered by the use of new (online) technologies? and was addressed through four areas (Use, Perceptions/Attitudes, Individual context, Family context). This national report of Spain is written based on data generated interviewing 11 families who have at least one child between 6-7 years of age, and the fieldwork was conducted in the Autonomous Community of Madrid and of Catalonia between June and November 2015. Although literature regarding technology in the life of children 0-8 is emerging in the Spanish context as a key focus as such, it is still very scarce. We hope, therefore, that the presented results from the study will serve as a basis for larger EU studies on related topics and for policy recommendations in Spain and beyond.