ABSTRACT
The methods of computational social science have already revolutionized the study of group dynamics, social infl uence, and political processes, among others (Aral & Walker, 2012 ; Bond et al., 2012 ; Zhu, Huang, & Contractor, 2013 ). As we look to the future, computational social science has the potential to revolutionize children and media research as well. The ecological and developmental theories and of children and media research are especially
ABSTRACT New media technologies enable the pervasive and unobtrusive tracking of children’s media use and interaction behaviors, and a host of new opportunities that researchers are only beginning to embrace. The possibilities for unlocking longstanding questions about children and media are thrilling, but the path forward is complicated by questions about epistemology, data, ethics and training. In this essay, I outline the promise and peril of computational social science for children and media research, drawing on advances from related fi elds to off er suggestions for researchers hoping to make use of big data and computational analytics.
