Child-Computer Interaction designs and evaluates interactive technologies that support children's development, learning, and creative expression. CCI researchers understand that children are not simply small adults—they have distinct cognitive abilities, social needs, and interaction patterns that demand specialized design approaches. This field combines developmental psychology, learning sciences, and interaction design to create technologies that respect children's agency while providing appropriate scaffolding for growth.
Aarhus University's CCI research spans the full spectrum of childhood contexts: homes where families negotiate screen time and digital play, schools integrating interactive learning technologies, museums creating engaging educational experiences, and entertainment environments that balance fun with developmental benefits. We create both high-quality research contributions and working prototypes that demonstrate how thoughtful design can enhance rather than diminish childhood experiences. Our work addresses critical questions about digital literacy, online safety, and equitable access to technology-enhanced learning opportunities.
Child-Computer Interaction research shapes how an entire generation relates to technology. Our work influences educational technology policies, informs parental guidance about children's media use, and provides design frameworks that help technology companies create more developmentally appropriate products. Current projects address pressing challenges like helping teenagers understand AI and machine learning through hands-on design activities, and creating museum exhibits that encourage families to explore science concepts together through interactive play.
Van Mechelen, M., Smith, R.C., Schaper, M.M., Tamashiro, M., Bilstrup, K.E., et al. (2023). Emerging technologies in K–12 education: A future HCI research agenda. ACM Transactions on Computer-Human Interaction 30(3), 1-40
Bilstrup, K.E.K., Kaspersen, M.H. & Petersen, M.G. (2020). Staging reflections on ethical dilemmas in machine learning: A card-based design workshop for high school students. In Proceedings of the ACM Conference on Designing Interactive Systems.