Technology in the World of Children

This research, prepared by KidZania, aims to improve children aged 7 to 12's perspectives on the Digital World and to reveal areas of learning and distance within it.

To examine these issues, separate analyses were conducted on each concept to determine how children interpret each topic and whether there is an overlap between different areas. The topics of independence and freedom, improvement and learning, and the Digital World were addressed separately according to what each part of these concepts could express. Then, they were analyzed together to determine if there was a relationship between these concepts and how their lives were lived.

Naturally, new questions arose during the research process: Can technology facilitate learning? Are adults aware of children's potential? What attracts children to the Digital World?

The answers to the above questions, along with meaningful information related to the research process reporting, are based on a deductive approach that first allows us to understand the perspective of children aged 7 to 12.

THE DIGITAL WORLD AND ITS IMPACT ON LEARNING FOR INDEPENDENT CHILDREN
Historically, events are occurring that cause a generation to differ in some way from previous generations. This is not only evident in the most obvious changes like fashion and music, but also in the history of a generation's security, social and cultural spheres.

Today's children (those born since 2000) are called Generation Z; framed as digitally born, these children live in an era witnessing the greatest technological advancements. The rapid developments in technology guide their understanding of the world digitally, especially among younger generations. Technology is not perceived as an advanced concept for Generation Z.

For these children, technology was present from the moment they were born and they have been in contact with technology throughout their lives: technology is a part of their lives; they cannot comprehend a world unconnected to technology. Furthermore, technology is integrated into their lives in a unique way, providing them with comfort, purpose, and direction, and is part of their identity.

Their learning allows individuals and adults to play a significant role in the process. On the other hand, it is related to equality and freedom. Globally, within the existing environmental conditions (technological advancements), the clarity and common ground between these concepts are crucial, because children are perceived within this framework worldwide.

The characteristics and relationships of education, teaching, and learning, and how these concepts are explained to children, are very important. Generally, each of these scenarios needs to be seen within the lives of different people. You can see that education is more about raising, guiding, and instilling self-worth in children.

Children immediately recognize a close relationship between the concepts of learning, teaching, and education, and they categorize these concepts into three areas: school, home, and social life.

They can clearly define these three areas and the main players in each area. They are even aware of what they encounter in each area.

One of the significant achievements of this student was that the child loved learning, valued learning, and was known to be helped to become a better person. They also know that learning involves discovering what they've learned and what opens a door to new knowledge. They know that separating the key or securing interest will allow them to know more and explore as independent individuals, unlike those who are simply allowed to. For children, information they can adapt to daily activities becomes much more relevant and powerful because they enjoy it, prefer it, or need it.

When it comes to the independence of online learners, the existence of dangerous situations always arises.

They are NOT mature enough to understand which content is appropriate and which is not, and to make informed decisions about which content platforms to use. When faced with anything that is "not allowed" due to their age, they either see it as a crime or consider it a funny incident.

When faced with such situations, they revert to their childlike roles, and these responses are viewed in a very naive way, as if they are our children. They cannot find another way to defend certain things they cannot do. They are aware that this is a naturally evolving situation that can be extended emotionally, physically, and even ergonomically. This is why they value the notion of independence so much. They know that there are many conditions that must be met to be independent.

The results came out into the open.