Children’s digital media practices within socio-technical networks: an actor-network theory (ANT) analysis of XIaohongshu engagement

Abstract

This study investigates children's digital media behavior as an emergent phenomenon within socio-technical networks. The research aims to identify how interactions between human and non-human actors shape media consumption patterns and digital socialization on social media platforms. The scientific hypothesis posits that children's digital engagement is not merely an individual choice but a co-constructed behavior driven by the process of "translation" among family supervision, school integration, and platform algorithms. Methodologically, the study employs the Actor-Network Theory (ANT) as its theoretical framework, combining it with computational analysis and BERTopic modeling to examine user-generated content on the Xiaohongshu platform.

Data were processed through rigorous cleaning and semantic coding to map the discourse structure of children's digital participation. The findings reveal that Xiaohongshu’s algorithmic recommendation systems and life-sharing culture deeply intersect with digital parenting concepts, creating relational dynamics that reinforce specific media habits. Furthermore, the results highlight long-term risks, such as content dependence and health issues, which are co-shaped by these multi-agent network mechanisms.

The practical significance of this study lies in its potential to inform policymakers and educators in developing effective digital literacy programs and "smart" parenting strategies that account for the algorithmic nature of modern childhood. The study concludes that children's digital participation is a complex socio-technical behavior determined by the continuous negotiation between human agency and technical structures.