Rethinking the Social and Economic Value of Children in the Digital AgePainos 1

In a world shaped by likes, followers, and algorithms, what does it mean to be a child and what does it mean to raise one? This book explores how the meaning and value of children have shifted in the digital era, where visibility often replaces intimacy, and childhood unfolds not just at home but also on screens. Drawing on developmental psychology, sociology, and media studies, it examines how everyday parenting has merged with content creation. It also explores how children, who were once valued primarily for their emotional closeness, are now increasingly seen as sources of social capital and digital assets.

From kidfluencers to sharenting, from digital play to parenting anxiety, this book unpacks how modern technologies and cultural norms have redefined what it means to raise a child. Building on Çiğdem Kağıtçıbaşı’s influential Value of Children model, the book reveals a striking paradox. In the past, societies gradually shifted from valuing children for their economic contributions to appreciating them for their psychological and emotional significance. However, in today’s digital world, social and economic value have returned to the forefront, now shaped by screens, platforms, and performative visibility.

Rather than offering prescriptive advice, the book invites deeper reflection. What happens when childhood becomes a brand? What are the consequences when love is shared not just in private but for public engagement? With clear language and real-life examples, this book offers a thought-provoking guide for parents, educators, and researchers as they try to understand and respond to the ethical, emotional, and developmental challenges of growing up online.