Annual Meeting 2025 in Basel

This year's meeting was titled "Growing up in the Digital Age" and took place on January 21st and 22nd, 2025, in Basel. The meeting was jointly organized by the University of Basel, the Basel University Hospital for Children (UKBB), and the University Psychiatric Clinics (UPK) Basel. 

The rapid technological advances during the last decades have strongly impacted our modern life. We are surrounded by digital devices that facilitate our daily routines, connect us to an ever increasing globalized social network, and offers limitless entertainment. Today, modern technology is also an essential part of family life. However, research suggests that excessive digital media use in children aged 0 to 5 years, and screen use in particular, might have a negative impact on child development, including language, cognitive, motor, and socioemotional delays. Thus, the omnipresence of digital devices has raised concerns among early childhood professionals, parents, and the general public. But how does growing up in an increasingly digital world shape child development? Are the concerns justified? What are good family digital media habits? What role does digitalization play in institutions? How can guidelines and recommendations be communicated effectively to parents, educational institutions, and communities? What other factors related to digital media use should be considered?

Two great keynote speakers shared their expertise on the potential impact of digital media use on children's wellbeing: 

Prof. Dr. Heather Kirkorian | School of Human Ecology | University of Wisconsin-Madison 

"The Digital Child: Lessons from Studying the Family Media Ecology"

Prof. Dr. Katherine T. Cost | Psychiatry & Behavioural Neurosciences | McMaster University 

"From Growing the Digital World … to Growing Up in the Digital World"

We are delighted that our partner Alliance Enfance will once again host a session on knowledge transfer between science, practice, and policy. 

Our Annual Meeting 2025 in Basel has come to a close, and we would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to all participants, speakers, and collaborators who made this event a success

Organizing Committee: Huge appreciation to Eva Unternaehrer, Margarete Bolten, Andrea Lanfranchi, Noortje Vriends and Alexander Grob for your tireless work behind the scenes. You made this event a success!

Keynote Speakers: Thank you to Katherine Cost, Ph.D. and Heather Kirkorian for sharing your invaluable knowledge and expertise.

Authors and Symposium/Workshop Organizers: Sonja Perren, Fabio Sticca, Paul Matusz, Katrin Braune-Krickau, @Tatiana Diebold, Nadine Messerli-Bürgy, Evelyn Trutmann, Joachim Zahn and all the authors. Your inspiring contributions and presentations enriched the event, sparking meaningful discussions and fostering valuable learning opportunities.

Poster Presenters and Reviewers: Thank you for sharing the impact of your work, and a special thanks to the reviewers for their thoughtful feedback. 

Cooperation Partner: A special thanks to Alliance Enfance for preparing yesterday's informative and diverse session – your efforts were outstanding!

All participants: And last but not least, thank you to all participants – your engagement and presence made this Annual Meeting vibrant, diverse, and impactful.

Venue Support: Thank you to Universitäre Psychiatrische Kliniken UPK Basel, Schweizerischer Nationalfonds SNF, die Freiwillige Akademische Gesellschaft (FAG), for providing the venue and on-site & financial support, ensuring a seamless experience for everyone.

Let’s continue to grow, collaborate, and innovate together as we navigate the opportunities and challenges of the digital age!

Please also contact us via info@earlychildhoodresearch.ch with any questions you might have.