The Platformization of Childhood and the Reconfiguration ofChildren's Creative Agency in Digital Media Ecosystems:A Critical Philosophical Literature Review
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.53905/ChildDev.v2i02.15Keywords:
platformization, creative agency, early childhood education, foundational learning, digital media ecosystems, child-centered pedagogy, social-emotional developmentAbstract
Purpose of the study: This critical philosophical literature review examines childhood platformization as a structural developmental condition shaping the experiences of children aged 0–8 years. While prior research has predominantly explored digital media through behavioral and empirical perspectives, the broader developmental implications of platform-mediated childhood remain insufficiently theorized.
Materials and methods: A systematic synthesis was conducted on 52 peer-reviewed articles published between 2021 and 2026 and indexed in Scopus and Web of Science Q1–Q2 journals, including Child Development, Early Childhood Research Quarterly, Computers & Education, Learning, Media and Technology, and New Media & Society. Data were analyzed using thematic synthesis, leading to the inductive development of a Child-Centered Platformization Framework (CCPF).
Results: The review identified four interconnected mechanisms through which platformization reshapes early childhood development. First, algorithmic mediation narrows opportunities for exploratory learning and divergent thinking by prioritizing predictable content pathways. Second, datafication and gamification transform creative activities into measurable performances, shifting motivation from intrinsic engagement to external rewards. Third, platform-driven attention economies fragment sustained concentration, undermining deep learning and symbolic play. Fourth, metric-based social validation influences identity formation and socio-emotional development by emphasizing visibility and performance. These findings suggest that major developmental theories, including those of Piaget, Vygotsky, Bronfenbrenner, and Erikson, require critical reconsideration within contemporary platformized childhood contexts.
Conclusions: Childhood platformization represents a structural developmental challenge that extends beyond screen exposure and digital use. The proposed CCPF offers a conceptual framework for understanding and evaluating the developmental consequences of platform-mediated environments. Future research should prioritize longitudinal, cross-cultural, and child-centered investigations to support the design of digital ecosystems that align with children's developmental needs and well-being.
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