Young children and tablets: A systematic review of effects on learning and development

Abstract Mobile applications are popular among young children, yet there is a dearth of studies examining their impact on learning and development. A systematic review identified 19 studies reporting learning effects on children 2 to 5 years old. The number of children participating in experimental, quasi‐experimental, or mixed‐method studies was 862 and in descriptive or correlation studies, 941. The majority of studies reported positive effects on literacy development, mathematics, science, problem‐solving, and self‐efficacy. Among the factors explaining observed effects were design features, the role of adults, and a similarity between applications and transfer context. Although drawing firm conclusions remains a challenge, this review forms a first step towards systematic research in the field and contributes to shaping directions for future research.