Abstract:

One of the rare topics on which different theories agree is the interaction between children and their environment. Children are influenced by their environment, but they also influence it reciprocally over time. In line with today's technological developments, digital tools have become an inseparable element of a child's immediate environment. The age at which children are introduced to digital tools is decreasing, while screen time is increasing. While appropriate use helps children adapt and reinforces learning, excessive or incorrect usage poses the risk of digital addiction. In this context, rather than completely isolating children from technology, developing awareness of appropriate use is paramount. Methodologically, this article is designed as a critical narrative review in line with the interpretive paradigm. The article reviews the existing literature to discuss digital literacy as a primary strategy for combating digital addiction in early childhood. In this context, the study examines ways to transform children from passive consumers of the digital world into active and conscious digital literates, focusing on international standards such as The European Framework for the Digital Competence of Educators, UNESCO’s Global Framework for Digital Literacy, and the International Society for Technology in Education Standards. The article is structured around four main themes. In the first phase, environmental factors influencing development during the preschool period are addressed. In the second phase, the significant role of digital tools in children’s environments is explained with evidence. In the third phase, the issue of digital addiction caused by excessive and improper use of digital tools is discussed. In the final stage, the focus is on the potential role of digital literacy in preventing digital addiction, supported by evidence from the literature. In conclusion, this conceptual study emphasizes that combating digital addiction requires a paradigm shift. Accordingly, it focuses on strategies to develop digital literacy skills in order to protect children from digital addiction.

Keywords:

Critical narrative review, digital addiction, digital literacy, early childhood, preschool.