Young Children’s Digital Practices in the European Context: Insights from Romania

The present research note is aimed at exploring the impact of the digital world on the online and offline practices of young children aged 4–8. The empirical research was carried out from March 2017 to August 2018 in three locations in Romania: Cluj-Napoca, Miercurea Nirajului, and Sfântu Gheorghe. Based on the results of a previous investigation carried out in the same locations during the period of 2015–2016, the exploratory qualitative research has concluded that young children have a low level of digital literacy due to their parents’ and educators’ lack of ICT knowledge and skills. Issues like online privacy and security are rarely of adults’ concern: they worry more about their children’s eyesight and social isolation.