Digital well-being means social, mental, and physical well-being in an everyday environment where digital appliances and services bring various benefits and challenges. Even though small babies do not yet use or need digital media themselves, they live in a digitised reality through their family members’ use of it.

Everyone needs to be heard, seen, and cared for. This is also true in the digital age, which has transformed our social relationships and interactions. Many of us know how it feels to be left on the sidelines when technology sticks to one’s own or someone else’s fingers. How would the same situation look to a baby or a toddler?

Though adults do not always notice, even a small child follows the parents’ actions closely and learns by example. The one-year-old who uses a remote controller in an attempt to call their grandmother does not take the ideas for their first media play from nothing. Recognising one’s own digital habits and verbalising the situations when using media helps the child understand them.

When a toddler notices a teddy bear on a children’s TV show, bolts to get a storybook about bear cubs, and starts making bear-like sounds, media has had its role in producing one fuzzy insight about the world. The adult can strengthen the child’s positive media usage by verbalising positive actions with media.

Aside from providing presence, early interaction, and safety, the parent supports the child’s developing media skills. A small child’s understanding and self-regulation are insufficient for using media alone. The smartest way to approach media for a small child is little by little and, most importantly, together with an adult.

During Media Literacy Week 2021 (the Finnish version of Safer Internet Day), the Mannerheim League for Child Welfare encouraged parents and other educators to ponder digital media and interactions in the family from the small children’s point of view with a new, versatile website. The MLL’s site “Vauvana ja taaperona digiajassa” features articles, exercises, podcasts, and videos by professionals supporting those working with families with children.

Find out more about the work of the Finnish Safer Internet Centre, including their awareness raising, helpline, hotline and youth participation services – or find similar information for Safer Internet Centres throughout Europe.