Virtual Worlds: Young Children Using the Internet

Chapter
First Online:
Part of the Educating the Young Child book series (EDYC, volume 10)

Abstract

There has been a dramatic increase in the number of young children using digital media. Children are regularly using the internet to play, communicate, and explore. Educators and researchers are beginning to examine the social and cognitive implications of children’s use of interactive media and the internet. Socio-cultural and ecological systems theories offer a perspective that can support our understanding of internet use and young children’s cognitive development. This chapter examines three popular internet applications: virtual worlds, virtual field trips, and tele-collaborative projects. Drawing on the ecological systems and socio-cultural theories, implications for children’s development are considered.

Keywords

Cognitive development Digital media Early childhood Internet Socio-cultural theories Technology Tele-collaboration Virtual worlds Virtual field trip 
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Copyright information

© Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht 2015

Authors and Affiliations

  1. 1.Florida State UniversityTallahasseeUSA
  2. 2.Pusan National UniversityPusanSouth Korea

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