How does the digital maturity of children influence their eating behaviours? This intriguing question was at the heart of a recent webinar organized by Vitagora as part of the EU-funded DIGYMATEX Project.
The session opened with a presentation by DIGYMATEX project coordinator, assoc. prof. Marco Hubert of Aarhus University, Denmark. who laid the groundwork by exploring the concept of digital maturity.
Hubert emphasized the role of digital maturity as a critical framework for understanding how young people engage with information and communication technologies. His talk provided a robust foundation for the subsequent presentation, which dove deeper into specific behavioural impacts.
The spotlight then shifted to Ragnhild Eg of Nofima, the Norwegian Institute of Food, Fisheries and Aquaculture Research, who addressed the intersection of digital maturity and food choices. The presentation was based on research, conducted in the framework of DIGYMATEX, demonstrating a link between uncontrolled eating and low digital maturity among adolescents.
Eg’s presentation focused on:
- Digital habits, such as exposure to advertisements on social media, significantly shape children’s preferences for high-calorie, low-nutrient foods.
- Children with higher digital maturity are more likely to critically evaluate food marketing but still remain influenced by emotional triggers in digital content.
Her recommendations included fostering digital literacy as a tool to empower children to make healthier dietary choices.
This was followed by a discussion moderated by Sophie Nicklaus, Research Director at Centre for Taste and Feeding Behavior (CSGA), INRAE who explored how parental and educational interventions could mitigate negative influences. Her key insights included:
- Strategies to guide children toward balanced technology use, reducing screen time during meals.
- The importance of creating a supportive digital environment where children can learn to self-regulate their online interactions.
- Practical steps for educators to integrate digital maturity education into existing curricula.
As digital technologies become an integral part of childhood, understanding their impact on everyday behaviours, such as eating habits, is crucial. The DIGYMATEX Project offers valuable tools for assessing and addressing these challenges, equipping parents and educators to support healthier, more informed choices among children.
For a deeper dive into these insights and actionable recommendations, watch the full webinar here.
DIGYMATEX will hold its concluding conference on December 9, 2024, in Vienna, Austria and the even would be streamlined online. It will be opened with a keynote presentation and discussion, “A Child Rights Approach to Digital Maturity”, moderated by Prof. Sonia Livingstone from the London School of Economics and Political Science. To register Click here.