The Impact of the Type of Digital Content on the Communication of Preschool Children
The Impact of the Type of Digital Content on the Communication of Preschool Children

Summary/Abstract: Digital media to which a child is exposed can have both positive and negative effects on the process of language acquisition and the development of communication skills, depending on the type of content the child consumes. Therefore, the aim of our research was to examine the impact of the type of digital content on the communication of preschool children, whereby we divided the mentioned content into educational and entertaining categories. The sample consisted of 200 preschool children aged 48, 54, and 60 months, of both genders. The standardized instrument Ages & Stages Questionnaires (ASQ-3), was used to assess different developmental domains in children aged from one month to 66 months. The study was conducted in preschool institutions in Bosnia and Herzegovina during February and March 2024. In all examined age groups, cartoons were the most prevalent type of digital content the children were exposed to, while educational content ranked second. Our results showed a significant difference between the two groups of children divided according to the type of digital content. Children exposed to educational content achieved higher scores on the communication scale compared to those who watched entertaining content. Children who consume educational content achieve better results in the developmental domain of communication compared to children who watch entertaining content, highlighting the importance of the type of digital content children are exposed to. These findings provide an important basis for parents, educators, and various professionals in the field of early childhood development, emphasizing the need for a conscious and responsible approach to the use of digital media to support adequate communication development.

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