Abstract
Amid the dramatic change of media environment surrounding children, such as the dissemination of smartphones among them, this research project team conducted an extensive survey to study the whole picture of children’s media use, specifically what kinds of media and digital devices they use on a daily basis and how they utilize digital materials for learning at home. This is the second report of this three-part series.
Based mainly on the results of a web panel survey, this month’s report examines the rules of children’s media use and parents’ concerns and dissatisfaction regarding children’s use of TV programs and the internet. Furthermore, upon studying children’s daily lives, including after-school activities/lessons or school clubs, this paper overviews children’s media use for home learning and the details of their use of NHK’s educational services.
In terms of children’s media use, parents make family rules, but it seems insufficient as they feel anxious about children’s health and online scams, and many children are engaged in after-school activities/lessons or school clubs, which indicates that media use is not necessary the only way they spend their days. Looking at the use of digital devices and digital learning materials for home learning, there was a tendency that elementary and junior high school pupils are largely affected by the advice from their schools. On the other hand, high school students tend to use their everyday smartphones for learning at home. The survey result also shows that NHK’s educational services are used both in schools and home, mainly by the target groups, and that the level of satisfaction is high among those aware of the services.
