What Matters for Young Children's Healthy Digital Media Use and Learning? With Rachel Barr, PhD
Podcast: Screen DeepPublished On: Wed May 06 2026
Description: For decades, researchers have studied why babies and young children learn differently from screens than they do from real-world experiences. On this episode of Screen Deep, host Kris Perry is joined by Dr. Rachel Barr, Professor of Psychology at Georgetown University and a leading expert in early childhood and digital media. Dr. Barr describes why it’s difficult for young children to learn from digital media, a concept called the “video transfer deficit effect,” and explains which specific features of high quality media paired with parenting practices can support learning and development. Dr. Barr also describes why video chatting is often an exception to screen time guidelines, how family media plans can help family relationships, and the importance of considering children’s environments holistically when studying how they interact with and are impacted by digital media.In this episode, you will learn:Why it can be difficult for young children to learn from digital media and how researchers discovered the “transfer deficit effect” How parental guidance and educational app design can make learning from media easier for childrenWhat features to look for in educational shows and apps One expert-recommended app for young children and what makes it stand out Why thinking more expansively beyond “screen time” is essential for evaluating your child’s media useHow parents’ own media use — and how they talk about it with their children — can shape family relationshipsFor more resources and research on this topic visit the Learn and Explore section of the Children and Screens website (https://www.childrenandscreens.org)--------------Follow Children and Screens on: Facebook: Children and Screens: Institute of Digital Media and Child DevelopmentInstagram: @childrenandscreensLinkedIn: Children and Screens: Institute of Digital Media and Child DevelopmentX: @childrenscreensBluesky: @childrenandscreens.bsky.social---------------Music: 'Life in Silico' by Scott Buckley - released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.au
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