Exploration of the Concept and Components of Early Childhood Digital Media Literacy

This study aims to define the concept of digital media literacy in early childhood by reflecting the developmental characteristics of young children and their play context, and to explore its factors and sub-factors. Through a literature review and expert consultation, theoretical concepts and factors were derived, and their content validity was verified using a two-round Delphi survey. The findings indicate that digital media literacy in early childhood can be defined as the ability to understand and use digital media according to developmental levels, to engage in appreciation, expression, and creation, to critically understand information, and to demonstrate responsible attitudes in the digital society. Four main factors were identified—Understanding and Use of Digital Media, Appreciation and Creation of Digital Media, Critical Understanding of Digital Media, and Digital Citizenship—along with nine sub-factors: Exploration and Understanding of Digital Media, Use of Digital Media, Appreciation of Digital Media, Expression through Digital Media, Creation with Digital Media, Proper Acceptance of Media Information, Distinguishing Facts from Imagination, Digital Etiquette and Respect for Others, and Rules for Digital Media Use. All factors satisfied the criteria for mean score, CVR, CVI, convergence, agreement, and stability. This study is significant in that it establishes the concept and factors of digital media literacy in early childhood and provides foundational data for fostering effective digital media literacy competencies in young children.