Spatial Realities in the Digital Age: A Scoping Review and Bibliometric Analysis of Digital Mediatization among Chinese Children and Youth.

Digital technologies are increasingly shaping how children and adolescents engage with space, challenging traditional distinctions between online and offline environments. This paper examines how digital mediatization influences spatial knowledge among Chinese children and youth by conducting a scoping review and bibliometric analysis of 389 academic articles published in the China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) database between 2013 and 2024. The study identifies four key thematic clusters: the role of digital tools in everyday spatial practices, digital parenting, policy and institutional responses, and spatial inequalities in digital access and use. The findings point to the emergence of hybrid spaces as a defining aspect of young people’s spatial experiences, underscoring the fluidity between physical and digital realms. Additionally, the analysis highlights the evolving dynamics of digital parenting, the challenges of policy interventions addressing digital risks, and the persistent urban-rural digital divide. By shedding light on these trends, the paper emphasizes the transformative impact of digital technologies on spatial perceptions and practices in the Chinese context, while also recognizing the valuable contributions of Chinese scholarship in this field.