CHILDREN’S PODCASTING KNOWLEDGE AND FUTURE PODCAST PRODUCTION: GENDER AND AGE COMPARISON

Abstract: Podcasts provide various content topics such as personal narratives, analysis of popular culture, current issues and so on. There is an increasing number of podcast users, which include a diverse range of age groups including children under the age of 12. Realising the pervasiveness or omnipresence of podcasts in daily life today, it is vital to investigate whether the young generation has any knowledge about podcasts and an interest in podcasting. Moreover, based on extensive literature research, most studies regarding podcasting knowledge and intentions focus on adults or adolescents. Thus, the present study was conducted quantitatively with the objectives of investigating if there is a statistically significant disparity in podcast knowledge between children belonging to two different age groups and examining if there is a statistically significant disparity in interest in podcasting between male and female children. The results obtained from 45 respondents who were children aged 8-12 years old revealed that the majority of them were familiar with podcasts, had listened to them, knew how to produce podcasts, and had experience producing their podcasts in the past. Also, the analysis of the data indicates positive trends in participants’ interest in producing podcasts after engaging in podcasting activities. The data of the study implies a growing enthusiasm for podcasting among children, and further extensive studies on this could contribute more information. Keywords: Age; Children; Gender; Podcast Knowledge; Podcast Production