Digital literacy and technology

We live in a digital age. The influx of new technologies and digital platforms is transforming the way that children and young people access reading material, with digital reading becoming an increasingly important part of children’s literacy lives. As the digital-first world continues to evolve, we also need to consider what is the future of literacy and how do we adapt?

Digital technology and its use as a tool for reading, writing and listening activities can also be a polarising topic. Concerns about screen time and the negative effects of technology on mental health and education dominate media headlines. Media literacy and the increasingly urgent discussion about how to equip children with the critical literacy skills to navigate the digital space is of paramount importance within government, the education sector and for families.

Through our research, we're exploring digital technology and its impact on literacy. We've been looking into topics like how many children read digitally compared to in print, the technology teachers are using in the classroom and their digital literacy skills, and digital technology in the early years. Most recently, we have delved into the conversation around to what extent we should engage with generative AI and exploring its impact on literacy.