Every time I turn around, I see a new study stating how bad technology is for children. Are these researchers aware of the world we live in today? Apple is one of the biggest brands in the world. Facebook has replaced photo albums. Oh, and YouTube has over a billion users — almost one-third of all people on the Internet. Not to mention, “technology” is a major part of the subjects collectively known as Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) that is the future of our generation.
Yes, there are some parents and children who abuse technology, but we also need to consider some of the positive aspects, seeing as it’s not going away anytime soon. Honestly, we should be thanking our tablets, smartphones and whatever other digital device our kids use that enables us to get a few minutes of peace and quiet each day.
Answer this: How do you plan to entertain your child(ren) and keep them from screaming bloody murder on your next eight-hour drive or four-hour flight? The iPad is a hero in this situation. The last time you had the stomach flu and spent hours hugging the toilet — how did you keep your child entertained and out of the germ-covered bathroom so they weren’t next? Again, your friend, the iPad. These examples may be few and far between, but they are still valid examples of why technology can be our friend as opposed to the enemy.
The recommended screen time per the American Academy of Pediatrics is no more than two hours per day for school-age kids, and no more than one hour per day before school-age. This includes any electronic device. I totally understand concerns over lack of activity, online predators, interference with imaginative play, decreasing social skills and cognitive development, etc. I’m not saying you should plunk your child down on the floor with an iPad and leave them there for several hours, but technology in moderation won’t rot their brains.
I see the benefits of technology almost every day. For example, when my son was learning his site words, we played on an app called Site Word Ninja (think Fruit Ninja) where the narrator would say the word aloud, and he would slice the words in half. Not only was he learning, he was having fun, which is half the battle. I think he’s more likely to stick with this learning approach then sitting on the floor scrolling through index cards while begging me to do something else. This is one of tens of thousands of learning apps out there. I am no teacher and am actually thankful for the many options to choose from to help him continue his education outside of the classroom.
Family life is very important to most of us. Hearing Nana’s voice from 500 miles away is nice but actually seeing her face is even better. With Skype and FaceTime, we are able to connect with people all over the world with the touch of the “call” button. Some job interviews are being conducted this way even today, virtual meetings save companies countless dollars by reducing the need to travel, and you can even dial-a-doc now instead of physically going into a doctor’s office only to catch the next bug going around. Again, you’re welcome.
YouTube Kids is a wealth of information. My son will do or say something that will surprise the heck out of me, and I’ll say where did you learn that, and he’ll say: “YouTube.” He watches videos appropriate for his age, and there are elements of learning weaved throughout without him even knowing it. Win win! The Information Age is at a finger’s reach, and all he has to do is type or speak into the device and voila. Imagine if we still had to go to the library and look things up in Encyclopedias. Classrooms are increasingly doing away with classic books and are turning to tablets.
Don’t forget the peace of mind your smartphone offers when trying to locate your children at any given moment. GPS tracking can be activated to find the phone’s exact location, and it can even be used to map out walking or biking paths, teaching children about distance and geography.
Even when they are doing the simple task of looking for letters and numbers to type on the onscreen keyboard, they are learning. Technology is like a second language — one we would be lucky as adults to master. Some days I can barely get my iPad to power on. But our children will as young users and will be better prepared in our ever-evolving digital world.
Whether you are slowly entering the world of digital devices with your children or choose to limit screen time to the recommended daily allowance, or maybe use your digital devices as a reward for good behavior — moderation is key. Screen time isn’t going away, so figure out what works best for you and your family.
