COURSE CURRICULUM

The Digital Media in Human Development specialisation at Leiden University is an interdisciplinary track within the Master’s program in Education and Child Studies. It combines pedagogical, instructional, and neurobiological perspectives to provide a comprehensive understanding of how digital media influence child development. The program explores the impact of digital technologies on cognitive, emotional, motor, and physical development, as well as the role of parents, teachers, and other caregivers in mediating these effects. Students examine how digital media can support learning, such as reading and literacy development, and how they can enhance family interventions and treatment practices for problem situations. The curriculum emphasises that the design and application of digital experiences should align with the human information processing system to be effective and developmentally appropriate.The program covers multiple contexts, including family, school, society, and mental health care, while encouraging students to study the perspectives of children, parents, teachers, and clinical professionals. Students are trained in advanced research methods and techniques, enabling them to conduct empirical studies, analyse data, and critically evaluate the impact of digital media. Courses address theoretical frameworks and practical applications, such as the use of games and apps for learning, social media as a tool in interventions, and strategies for preventing excessive or harmful media consumption. Topics like cyberbullying, digital culture, and online literacy practices are examined to understand both opportunities and challenges posed by growing up in a digital world.Graduates of this specialisation are prepared for careers in research, education, clinical and therapeutic settings, or policy development. They acquire the knowledge and skills to design, implement, and assess interventions, educational tools, and digital technologies, contributing to evidence-based practices that promote healthy development in children. This interdisciplinary approach equips students to bridge the gap between theory, research, and practical application in the evolving digital landscape of child development.