Technology for Kids – How Young is Too Young?

Source

These days even the teeniest tots seem to have touchscreens and school-age little squirts all seem to come equipped with smartphones. If your young ‘un is pestering you for a handset all of their very own, or needs a laptop to keep up with homework, how do you know when to let your kids enter the world of technology? It’s an important issue to think about – especially since technology can be such a double edged sword.

The issues in a nutshell

On one hand, technology is bloomin’ brilliant, giving us the power to learn, explore (and even play the odd game of online bingo!). The internet is a fantastic resource for children, giving them access to a whole world wide web of inspiration, ideas and information. It’s also important for children to become confident with technology as the world of work becomes increasingly reliant on IT and IT competent employees.

Yet all this positively also comes with some significant downsides. It’s difficult to monitor and regulate exactly what information children access – and to keep up with who has access to them in return. It can also be tricky to limit online time, ensuring children enjoy physical activity and learn how to develop offline friendships. All too quickly, social interaction is disappearing into the web and the world of social media, leaving real-life friendships and social skills lagging. So, is there any best practice for parents who aren’t sure about when their children are ready for technology?

Smartphones

This is a tricky one. On the one hand, it’s great to know you can contact your child wherever they are. It’s also important for your child to be involved with their peers socially. Communicating via mobile (whether through texting, tweeting, snapchatting, facebooking or instant messengers like What’s App) is a key part of social life for many young people. Without access to technology, children can find themselves on the outside of their peer group.

Yet a smartphone also comes with a raft of possible dangers and downsides. While you’re able to access your child and your child can access their peers, other parties will be able to access your child too. Predatory online behaviour is a huge fear for many parents and, although this type of danger is far less prevalent than parental paranoia may suggest (and the majority of children are clued-up enough to protect themselves) the risks do exist.

Far more common and problematic are issues within peer groups. Cyberbullying, sexting and sending compromising pictures are all activities teens with smartphones can become involved in. This can have serious repercussions socially, emotionally and mentally on young people.

PCs & Laptops

Kids disappearing upstairs and into the online world immediately after school (with little more than a grunt ‘hello’!) is a problem that many modern parents face these days. PCs and laptops are fabulous for homework and coursework, but they’re not particularly good for family time.

Lots of teachers and parents report seeing tired out, moody kids who stay up late online. Again there’s the issue of monitoring the content kids come into contact with and the types of activities teens in particular engage with online. One of the best solutions is a communal family computer or laptop in a family room – with time limits! Yes, this is likely to cause arguments, but a little noise is better than silence, antisocial kids and secretive behaviour!

Tablets

The modern family has all sorts of gadgets around the house. Recent statistics suggest that, rather than driving families apart, tablets are actually helping them spend more quality time together. Although tablets come with similar problems to laptops and smartphones (and they’re no good for typing up homework), they are a much more sociable gadget. With bigger screens which are easier to monitor from afar, a tablet is a good alternative to kids secretively hunching over a mobile. In fact, many families report spending time communally whist using tablets – often with the telly on too.

Tablets are also great for smaller tots. Their bright displays and interactive screens are great for play time and for keeping little ones occupied on the move. Although, there are concerns that simply plonking small children in front of gadgets is no replacement for interaction with their immediate environment.