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Theories Toolkit
A free online resource for early career and experienced researchers and research users, the toolkit offers a range of tools and guidance on theory relating to children’s digital lives.
In the toolkit, you can find: 1) Theory pathways: answers to researchers’ questions on how to understand theory, link it to evidence and apply it in practice. 2) Key areas: theories and concepts relating to children’s digital lives, linked to sources, discussion and debate. 3) Resources: blogs, vlogs, webinars and reports on relevant theories and concepts.
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Video: How to use the theories toolkit. If you have trouble loading the video, you can also watch it here on our YouTube channel.
Pathways: creating and applying theory
Theory pathways: answers to researchers’ questions on using theory.
Understanding theory
How to work with theory
Applying theory in practice
Key areas of children’s digital lives
Key areas with theories and concepts relating to children’s digital lives
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Theories Toolkit
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BlogChildren's media use: the role of social support Theories : Children's media use: the role of social support
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BlogDigital access: theoretical approaches Theories : Digital access: theoretical approaches
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BlogClassics made modern: Revisiting foundational child development theories in the digital age Theories : Classics made modern: Revisiting foundational child development theories in the digital age
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VlogNóirín Hayes on Bronfenbrenner’s bio-ecological theory Theories : Nóirín Hayes on Bronfenbrenner’s bio-ecological theory
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VlogRenee Hobbs on media literacy education Theories : Renee Hobbs on media literacy education
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BlogHow can theories be applied to policy and practice? Theories : How can theories be applied to policy and practice?
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VlogKate Cowan on multimodal social semiotics and the study of play Theories : Kate Cowan on multimodal social semiotics and the study of play
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BlogTalking theory to stakeholders: the challenge of changing the public discourse Theories : Talking theory to stakeholders: the challenge of changing the public discourse
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Reading listA guided reading list with key texts on nine key topics Theories: bibliography : A guided reading list with key texts on nine key topics
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VlogOla Erstad on the sociocultural theory of learning Theories : Ola Erstad on the sociocultural theory of learning
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BlogHow to update existing theory? Theories : How to update existing theory?
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BlogHow to make a theoretical contribution to the field? Theories : How to make a theoretical contribution to the field?
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Webinar, BlogThe impact of digital experiences on young people with mental health vulnerabilities Theories webinar series : The impact of digital experiences on young people with mental health vulnerabilities
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VlogExperts discuss the role of theory in disseminating research Theories : Experts discuss the role of theory in disseminating research
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VlogExperts’ views on the current theoretical arguments and debates Theories : Experts’ views on the current theoretical arguments and debates
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VlogExperts discuss the key theories and concepts they use the most Theories : Experts discuss the key theories and concepts they use the most
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Reading listSocial support - a guided reading list with key texts Theories: social support : Social support - a guided reading list with key texts
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Reading listRisk and harm - a guided reading list with key texts Theories: risk and harm : Risk and harm - a guided reading list with key texts
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Reading listHealth and wellbeing - a guided reading list with key texts Theories: health and wellbeing : Health and wellbeing - a guided reading list with key texts
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Reading listSkills and literacies - a guided reading list with key texts Theories: skills and literacies : Skills and literacies - a guided reading list with key texts
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BlogDiscussing classifications of risk with Insafe and INHOPE child practitioners Theories: A practitioners’ perspective : Discussing classifications of risk with Insafe and INHOPE child practitioners
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VlogKey experts talk to us about their use of theory in our theories vlog series Theories : Key experts talk to us about their use of theory in our theories vlog series
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Reading listPolicy and regulation - a guided reading list with key texts Theories: policy and regulation : Policy and regulation - a guided reading list with key texts
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Reading listOpportunities and benefits - a guided reading list with key texts Theories: opportunities and benefits : Opportunities and benefits - a guided reading list with key texts
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Reading listAccess - a guided reading list with key texts Theories: access : Access - a guided reading list with key texts
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Reading listChildren and young people - a guided reading list with key texts Theories: children and young people : Children and young people - a guided reading list with key texts
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VlogKaveri Subrahmanyam on her approach to developing and updating theory Theories : Kaveri Subrahmanyam on her approach to developing and updating theory
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VlogHans Martens on how to apply theory to practice Theories : Hans Martens on how to apply theory to practice
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Reading listTheorising - a guided reading list with key texts Theories: guidance on theorising : Theorising - a guided reading list with key texts
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VlogExperts’ views on significant changes in how disciplines theorise about children Theories : Experts’ views on significant changes in how disciplines theorise about children
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VlogExperts’ views on the concepts that they consider contested or less helpful for theorising Theories : Experts’ views on the concepts that they consider contested or less helpful for theorising
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VlogExperts discuss what disciplines and traditions influenced their work Theories : Experts discuss what disciplines and traditions influenced their work
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VlogExperts discuss their experiences of theorising from evidence and linking theory and evidence Theories : Experts discuss their experiences of theorising from evidence and linking theory and evidence
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VlogExperts’ views on the concepts that we should pay more attention to Theories : Experts’ views on the concepts that we should pay more attention to
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VlogSonia Livingstone on the dilemmas of choosing our concepts and theories Theories : Sonia Livingstone on the dilemmas of choosing our concepts and theories
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VlogUwe Hasebrink on the experience of the CO:RE project and synthesising evidence Theories : Uwe Hasebrink on the experience of the CO:RE project and synthesising evidence
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VlogLynn Schofield Clark on how different disciplines approach theory development Theories : Lynn Schofield Clark on how different disciplines approach theory development
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Blog, WebinarOnline opportunities for children Theories webinar series : Online opportunities for children
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VlogJohn Hartley on theory-making, digital media, and children from a cultural point of view Theories : John Hartley on theory-making, digital media, and children from a cultural point of view
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BlogChildren online: from findings to frameworks Theories : Children online: from findings to frameworks
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VlogAmanda Third on changing normative perspectives on children’s digital lives Theories : Amanda Third on changing normative perspectives on children’s digital lives
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Report4 Cs of online risk: Short report & blog on updating the typology of online risks to include content, contact, conduct, contract risks CO:RE Short Report on Key Topics : 4 Cs of online risk: Short report & blog on updating the typology of online risks to include content, contact, conduct, contract risks
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Blog, WebinarChildren and the digital environment Theories webinar series : Children and the digital environment
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VlogElisabeth Staksrud on children’s agency and the shift to prioritise children’s rights Theories : Elisabeth Staksrud on children’s agency and the shift to prioritise children’s rights
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Blog, WebinarUnderstanding online risks for children Theories webinar series : Understanding online risks for children
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VlogEllen Wartella on grand theory, multidisciplinary, child development and theorising from the margins Theories : Ellen Wartella on grand theory, multidisciplinary, child development and theorising from the margins
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VlogUwe Hasebrink on overstating media change, concerns about media effects and building theory from research Theories : Uwe Hasebrink on overstating media change, concerns about media effects and building theory from research
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Blog, WebinarDigital technologies in the lives of children and young people Theories webinar series : Digital technologies in the lives of children and young people
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VlogDavid Finkelhor on using evidence to disarm alarmist misconceptions about child online victimisation Theories : David Finkelhor on using evidence to disarm alarmist misconceptions about child online victimisation
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VlogSonia Livingstone on disarming technological determinism and moral panic Theories : Sonia Livingstone on disarming technological determinism and moral panic
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VlogIntroducing the CO:RE theories vlog series: an interview series with experts in the field of children and media Theories : Introducing the CO:RE theories vlog series: an interview series with experts in the field of children and media
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Blog, WebinarDigital skills, literacies and citizenship Theories webinar series : Digital skills, literacies and citizenship
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Blog, WebinarUnderstanding children’s wellbeing in a digital world Theories webinar series : Understanding children’s wellbeing in a digital world
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BlogOn the concepts we use and what theory is good for Theories : On the concepts we use and what theory is good for
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CO:RE at LSE
Theories
The team at the LSE works on theory, providing a series of mutually cross-fertilising mechanisms to coordinate and support the theoretical dimension of research. The team identifies valuable theoretical concepts that offer multidisciplinary breadth and depth in understanding the long-term impact of digital media on children and youth, and coallates all in a comprehensive theories toolkit that provides guidance throughout the theory pathway, from (research) question to generating theory.
Sonia Livingstone
Sonia Livingstone DPhil (Oxon), FBA, FBPS, FAcSS, FRSA, OBE, is a professor in the Department of Media and Communications at the London School of Economics and Political Science (UK). She currently directs the projects “Children’s Data and Privacy Online,” “Gobal Kids Online” (with UNICEF) and “Parenting for a Digital Future”, and she is Deputy Director of the UKRI-funded “Nurture Network.” Since founding the 33 countries EU Kids Online research network, Sonia has advised the UK government, European Commission, European Parliament, Council of Europe, OECD and UNICEF, among others, on children’s internet risks, safety, media literacy and rights in digital environments. She blogs at www.parenting.digital. She is leader of the CO:RE work package 5 on theory.
Mariya Stoilova
Mariya Stoilova is a post-doctoral researcher at the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) working on children’s rights, online risks and opportunities, and well-being. She is member of the CO:RE work package 5 on theory.