From Baby Einstein to Leapfrog, from Doom to the Sims, from Instant Messaging to Internet Chat Rooms: Public Interest in the Role of Interactive Media in Children's Lives. Social Policy Report. Volume 18, Number 4

Interactive media have come of age. The range of interactive entertainment products, intended to be used by children in and out of school settings is growing: CD-ROMs, computers, the Internet, video games (for a variety of handheld and console platforms), interactive toys (including educational talking books), and a variety of wireless software for cell phones and other wireless devices. In short, for today's children, interactive media have become part of the media landscape in which they are growing up. These devices represent the most recent in a century-long introduction of media technologies into the lives of children. Little systematic research has been conducted to either legitimize or dispute claims about the impact of interactive media content on children's cognitive and social development. Further, few investigations have been conducted that reflect recent advances in interactive technology, such as handheld devices, wireless technology, and interactive toys. The empirical research on children and interactive media has yet to match the myriad of questions posed about its effects. This research, however, has become a growing area of study as interactive media continue to pervade children's lives and as the technology itself continues to evolve. This review examines what we know about the role of interactive media in children's lives and the policy issues ignited by the popularity of interactive media. [This research was conducted under the auspices of the Children's Digital Media Center at the University of Texas at Austin. Commentaries in this issue of "Social Policy Report" include: (1) In New Media as in Old, Content Matters Most (Aletha Houston); (2) Changing Media: Fast Forward in the Information Age (Sandra Calvert); and (3) Time to Quicken the Pace of Children and New Media Research (Dale Kunkel).]