Lecture in Regensburg: This is how media use shapes child development!

Lecture in Regensburg: This is how media use shapes child development!

In today's digital world, media use in early childhood plays a central role. On Monday, October 27, 2025, a lecture will take place in the Marinaforum Regensburg that will deal with this important topic. The Regensburg health region organizes the event under the title “Growing up in the digital world” and examines the question of how media use influences child development and what role parents play in this. Participation is free, but registration is required to secure a spot. This initiative is particularly relevant since digital media is now an integral part of everyday family life.

Digital media, as studies by the Southwest Media Education Research Association show, are not only omnipresent, but also crucial for communication within families. Communication scientists Andreas Hepp and Uwe Hasebrink describe this trend as “profound mediatization”. This mediatization is reflected in the omnipresence and innovative density of media, which also has an influence on children's wishes. Many families are adopting the latest media trends to meet the needs of their children.

Media use and family life

The way children use digital media has changed significantly. While younger children often discover these media in a playful and curious way, teenagers tend to use social media. These developments mean that parents have to actively adapt their own media behavior. The KIM studies show that most children aged around 10 and over have a smartphone, which is used daily from the age of 12 onwards. Watching TV together remains an important ritual, even if older children are increasingly using digital forms of communication such as family chats.

But the integration of digital media can be both enriching and conflict-laden for family life. While understanding the challenges that digital media brings, parents should control media usage and set clear rules. Phubbing, where parents use cell phones while children compete for attention, can have negative consequences on the parent-child relationship. Studies also indicate that excessive media use can impair children's emotional and social development.

Promoting media literacy

In order to meet these challenges, media literacy is crucial. Parents should be informed and actively involved in their children's media use. This includes reflecting on their own media usage habits and creating space for children to develop their own strategies. Media literacy not only provides security in dealing with challenges such as cyberbullying and fake news, but also has a positive effect on children's future prospects. Studies show that children are better supported by parents with a high level of media literacy.

In addition, support from schools and educational institutions can help to strengthen parents' media skills. By consuming media together and discussing content, families promote healthy media usage.

The upcoming event therefore represents a valuable opportunity to raise awareness of the risks and opportunities of media use in early childhood. The lecture promises to provide important inspiration for parents and support them in actively shaping the digital world.

Those interested can find further information on the website of the Regensburg Health Region stadt-neutraubling.de, while comprehensive studies on media use in families bpb.de are visible. The platform can also provide detailed information about children's media use kindergesundheit-info.de be visited.