Online Responses towards Use of Hand-held Devices for Children under 12 Years Old

Abstract

This paper reviewed relevant literature of using hand-held devices in children and used responses from an online discussion forum to investigate people’s opinions towards the use of mobile hand-held devices for children under 12 years old. Critical discourse analysis (CDA) was used as analysis methods in three-dimension framework via micro, meso and macro multi-level interpretations. Although all the 125 online responses emphasised that children should not overuse technologies, and children should be exposed to technologies as well as no technology time, they were divided into anti-technology responses and technology-favourite responses. The argument concerns around child development were discussed among the 125 online responses. Educators and parents, who are interested in the areas of whether or not young children should be exposed to and use hand-held devices, will find this paper interesting and useful.