IZAZOVI ODRASTANJA DJECE U DIGITALNOM VREMENU
CHALLENGES OF CHILDREN'S GROWING UP IN THE DIGITAL AGE

Summary/Abstract: The paper points to the challenges of children growing up in the digital age, which offers both numerous positive opportunities and jeopardies related to their healthy development. The paper aims to show how modern media influence education and shape different dimensions of the lives of children and adolescents, their identity, and their relationships with parents and peers. The paper answers three groups of questions through theoretical analysis and research results: What are the challenges of children growing up in the digital age? What is the impact of digital technologies on the family? What is the relationship between parenting and digital learning? Starting from the fact that the development of identity, autonomy and intimacy, and the creation of friendships and relationships are the critical tasks of growing up, the authors suggest the necessity to analyze the impact of modern technology on all the mentioned aspects. The paper summarizes knowledge about how modern media shape different dimensions of children's and adolescent's lives while respecting media s possibilities and advantages. Digital life can support or hinder identity development. Based on the theoretical analysis and research results, the influence of the media on the quality of relationships with peers was considered, and negative phenomena (internet addiction, cyberbullying) were pointed out. In addition to relationships, other constructs were analyzed, how to use the advantages offered by the media and reduce bad educational influences, and how parents can help children to cope more successfully with the challenges of the digital age. The research results imply the importance of providing support to parents while they take steps toward the achievement of their visions for their children in the digital age.

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