The impact of technological transformations on the digital generation
DigiGen aims to develop significant knowledge about how children and young people use and are affected by technological transformations in their everyday lives. The project is organised into eight distinct work packages. It will make use of participatory methodologies that moves the focus from “research on” children and young people to a focus of “research with” children and young people as co-researchers, co-creators and co-designers. The goal of DigiGen is to understand why and how some children and young people benefit from ICT use while others seem to be impacted negatively. It takes as its focus children and young people (from 0-18 years of age), a group growing up today that is described as the digital generation (DigiGen). Through sustained engagement with the digital generation, the project will include the use of innovative quantitative and qualitative methods and in-depth case studies. The cross-disciplinary team of researchers will enhance cooperation between home, schools and the wider community to ensure safe and productive ways of using ICTs. In understanding the impact of technological transformations as they affect the digital generation, we identify a set of systems that are important in young people’s lives. These systems include a focus on family (the home), leisure, education and the wider community (civic participation). The outcome of the project will contribute to the development of explanatory models that will inform relevant stakeholders and practitioners on the long-term effects of ICT on child development and on practices that maximise risks, minimise risks and maximise benefits.