Without a doubt, kids today are smarter than we have been at their age 30 – 40 years ago. My kids ages 4 and 5 can actually singlehandedly maneuver my desktop and my touchscreen cellphone for their most favorite games, camera, and music. Surprisingly, they are a computer literate compared to those who are double their ages. The fact that they are aware of the technologies brought by time can somehow make me think: should I feel amused or should I be worried? Being tech-comfy has absolutely thousands of benefits as a child grows up. But always, as in always, every good side has its bad side.
The Downsides
The rationale of our kids playing with their iPads while we are busy talking to clients in a restaurant or while they wait for us from our office are very much understandable since we don’t want to be disturbed from time to time. But recent studies confirmed that technology savvy kids are more prone to obesity and insomnia due to lack of physical activity and fewer hours of sleep because of being hooked on social media and online games. Also, the world that they are absorbing through themselves may not be a healthy one as such social media are conducive to bullying and worse – pornography.
Gareth and Rebecca continue their talk about children and technology.
The Upsides
Younger and younger kids are aware of how technology works nowadays. Parents also use this to their advantage. Take for example a cellphone. We negate the fact that a preschooler should have a cellphone with them during school days. Parents see this as a tool for emergencies quick calls or just check out on how they are doing and where they are at the time of the call. This is all for safety reasons. Computers also would come in handy at home since school projects are now based on searching the web. It saves the child from going to internet cafes where it might not be safe for their age.
What’s best for the kids?
It might be safe to assume that technology is okay for the kids to use just as long as it suits their ages. Parental restriction is still needed to some that might contain something not conducive to their understanding. Also, there should be limitation to the hours that they are using them. It doesn’t have to be handed to them 24 hours a day even if they are just safely tucked at your home. Using these gadgets should always come with a rule – for a kid that is.
Technology and the Elementary School Student
Working parents are the most benefited of what technologies can do whether it be communication, educational or entertainment. All things have their bad or good. But if imposed with restrictions, maybe this technology could help kids be better than the previous generation. Holding firm to these rules at home despite all the objections is helpful to balance out their time on what is really important in their lives.