Children say playing and adults say working’

Children negotiating regulations on digital media in a Swedish preschool

Bibliographic Data

ID14895709
AuthorsPernilla Lagerlöf (0000-0001-7204-9469, University of Gothenburg Gothenburg Sweden, corresponding author)
Year2026
Volume40
Issue2
Pages312-327
Publication date2026-03-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueChildren & Society (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0951-0605 • E-ISSN: 1099-0860
PublisherWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1111/chso.12904
OpenAlexW4402118299
LanguageEN
Citations received4
References cited19

In current societal debate, opinions on children's use of digital technologies are polarized. This study investigates situated negotiations in everyday interactions by analysing how preschool children talk about digital media in relation to regulations on digital media use. A childhood sociological perspective guides an understanding of how children's experiences with digital media are shaped by their perspectives and social contexts. The findings show the participants managing tensions between home and preschool, resisting adult terminology, contributing to group identity and challenging the preschool rules. By restricting children's media use through policies might lead educators to overlook valuable insights offered by children

Developmental psychology · Digital media · Media studies · Negotiation · Political science · Social science · Sociology · Child Development and Digital Technology · Children's Rights and Participation · Law · Psychology · Social Media and Politics

Tools

Open DOIOpen Access