Social and Cultural Determinants of Technology Use in Children Under Six

This essay explores the role of social and cultural networks in shaping children’s physical, social, and cognitive-psychological well-being in the context of technology use, with particular focus on the preschool age group, namely children under the age of six. Drawing upon a comprehensive review of recent international scientific literature and research concerning the relationship between children and technology, the article offers a critical reflection on the impact of digital media on children’s meta-cognitive and cognitive development, as well as on their socio-relational dynamics and processes of perceiving external reality. These investigations serve as a preliminary foundation for the development of a digital educational protocol intended for early childhood education settings. This protocol aims to provide pedagogical support to educators, thereby facilitating the integration of technology into educational practices while safeguarding children’s environmental-physical, psychological-emotional and relational well-being.