#discussion - kids, technology, and society
@timcliff just put out a post talking about what could be steem's "thing". Introduced a tag called #discussion and encouraged the steem community to use it to create legitimate dialogue around real things. I'd recommend you check it out here. https://steemit.com/discussion/@timcliff/hey-steemains-let-s-start-a-discussion
It's an incredible concept and great way to use this platform to build knowledge of a diversity topics, especially to grow your understanding of controversial topics where you are able to see both sides!
So let's open up this discussion around the role of technology in kids lives.
I have four children. One of the first times this concept was brought to the fore front of my mind was when my oldest was 5. We were up in the woods out at a cabin for some family time with some friends. There was no cell service as we were deep in the rockies, but there was a lan line. As we are getting settled in, my 5 year old picks up the lan line, puts it to her ear and she asks "whats this?"
On that same trip my second, who was 3 at the time walks up to the tv screen and is trying to move it by swiping with his finger across the television. Frustration set in for him as the screen was apparently unresponsive to his finger. He had never really interacted with a screen that was not a touch screen. Crazy
These instances were incredibly comedic to my wife and I, but really eye opening to what sort of technology our children are growing up in. Both my elementary kids have computers and internet access in their classroom. Its way beyond what my generation grew up around, and light years beyond my parents. Their understanding of the internet, smart devices, text messaging, and the immediacy of information is normal. Any 6 year old understands that if they want to talk to their Grandma or set up a play date they just need their mom to get the number and send a text message.
These feel like Benefits to me
You could make lots of arguments of the pro's and con's of technology - but how has technology impacted the development of kids?
You can go to any given family restaurant and see a kid playing on some sort of smart device. You can go to an elementary school pickup and see a kid watching videos on youtube on a phone. You can go to a late night restaurant on a wekeend and find teenagers loitering about not really doing anything but looking at their devices.
You can also download an app specifically built to help children do eye therapy. You also can find kids learning to read using a program on their classroom technology. What about the kids that FaceTime their extended family members consistently that are able to have an intimate relationship as a result.
Is there an appropriate age for internet usage?
Is there a right time in life where kids should own a cell phone
Is there social development stunted by the over exposure of smart devices?
Would love to hear your thought, especially if you are a parent. There are times I feel like all my 5 year old wants to do is play on the iPad. But the things that he knows, understand and has learned about as a result of the iPad are irrefutable.
We have the first generation graduating high school that has known smart phones for almost all their upbringing. What has been the role of technology in them, and is it something that needs to be managed or governed?
Again, the goal here is to promote dialogue from your real life experiences. So please -
- Be Respectful
- Be Kind
- Learn from differing perspectives then your own
- Share honestly, and do not hesitate to disagree!
thanks for reading! Live big today and Dominate Life!
@breakthrough great post and suggestion. You have asked very good questions, and there is no black and white answer. For one, technology can benefit children because they are able to decipher something that's a mystery to our parents or grandparents. But I do believe that parents expose technology to children to soon and too often. For example, there's nothing wrong a child from 5 years old using an iPad or laptop to learn how to type or use educational apps to discover. But in my opinion, this can't be more than 15-20 minutes a day, maximum. And the older they get, the more their allowance should increase, but by minutes, and not hours. For example, a 10 year old can use a device for 30 mins to an hour a day, maximum. And when this happens, parents should be near their children to keep an eye. I believe children in the future will not be smarter through technology unless their use is controlled at a young age, and their exposure monitored. If parents give children free rein, then technology will take over and raise the child on behalf of the parents. You'd be amazed at how parents allow TV, laptop, iPad or phone to babysit their children while they get on with things in the house. This makes children irresponsive, less in-tune with reality and less likely to listen to parents. And then there's the health factor. Children are getting bigger, and even if they are not big, lack of physical and mental activities have turned many into zombies. So in my view, technology can only benefit children if parents are educated about the dangers of technology. If not, the future doesn't look bright for future generations.
As for cell phones, they can own it and from 10- 16, it should be the old style phones, only for dialling parents or contacting emergency services!
Great suggestions @nomad17. I am also supporting this kind of more conservative approach, as you may have noticed from my comment above. No hurry to put the technology on kids, in our technology-driven age they will not avoid the technology anyway - just will be healthier if face it a bit later. If allowed to use the smart devices, then yes, 15-20 minutes a day seems fine when controlled by parents.
Thanks! Like you said, there's plenty of time to have technology in their lives, so no need to spoil the precious childhood years.
haha - get em all dumb phones! My biggest concern is not the information they are taking in, but the purpose behind the techonolgy. Obviously, the technology will expand their access to knowledge. But knowledge is not everything. Especially to young people. The need to learn how to relate, solve problems, engage in conflict is way more important.
we will see how this evolves - and my wife and I will probably get our kids dumb phones
I agree. It's about teaching them real life skills, and they can't always learn that while glued to a screen. lol@dumb phones
very good post, it's good that you use the discussion tag, respect.
I think the internet is good for kids, it make them more intelegent and smart.
thanks for sharing! I tend to think that like anything it needs to be put in proper place. It can easily become a detractor that parents give to their kids to function in some ways as a pacifier for older kids...
Hi @breakthrough.
It's just my personal opinion, of course. But I think no smartphone/tablet should be given to any child as long as it possible. There are 2 main reasons for that:
Lack of movement is not so good as well. Maybe it is better to give them run around and play with each other.
Very good point. There are physiological aspects to it as well...head always tilting down, eye strain, posture as you mentioned, attention or awareness deficit, sleep pattern disruption, apetite imbalance, information that maybe misinterpreted, and dozens of other hazards. Yes, technology is good, but it developed too fast and everyone needs time to learn how to integrate modern day tech into their lives without disturbing other aspects of their BEING.
Thanks @kaliju! Great statement! Anyway, kids depend on their parents a lot... so kids will probably appreciate for letting them grow healthy. Until they are able to make their own decision on how deep do they need to be involved in any kind of technology in their future life.
Did you mean @timcliff ?
yes - totally biffed that
I suggest you edit the post and fix it.
didn't realize i could - thanks
Technology is here to stay. Its a catch 22 . In one way it makes our children more productive and they are able to have knowledge at their finger tips. I wonder what would happen if all the power went out. Would children be able to tell time? I think the key is balance. Children still need to learn the old ways in addition to learning the new things.
As soon as they are able to understand how to use it, I think it should be encouraged. With appropriate safe-guards of course.
If it is within the means of the parents to buy one for their kid, I think that as soon as they get to an age where they have a use for it (i.e. their friends have them, or they are away from home and may need to use it for an emergency). If it is not within the means of the parents to afford it though, I don't think there should be any expectation for kids to have one until they can afford to buy their own.
BTW, my niece has enjoyed using a smart-phone since before she could talk :)
Unsure. For a long time I avoided saving my friends/families phone numbers in my phone because I knew I would not remember their phone numbers anymore. I still remember the numbers of all my friends and family from when I was a kid, but all of my 'new' friends/family I do not know their numbers.
In a way though it teaches a different kind of intelligence. Kids these days know their way around electronics way better than the older generation.
Good/bad - hard to tell.
wow, since before she could talk - it's incredible - there are some physical health concerns as mentioned above @kaliju - i would tend to agree with you though in the sense of technology, smart phones in particular open up our kids world. And like any new invention it has pros/cons. The use of it really depends on the training attached to it.
I have a problem when its used as a babysitter, and parents neglect their role - specifically in social settings. I think the social IQ has the potential to be the biggest challenge.
We will see..
Excellent post and I wish steemit had a sticky or pin option because this is one of those Particular posts.
thanks - glad you like it...really not sure if you are a real person tho
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One basic thing I notice is the increasing number of hunched backs in heavy internet users and gamers, especially young boys who have had rapid growth spurts and will wind up being quite tall. I find this absolutely alarming. This physical change is completely separate to the changes to fundamental brain-wiring that must also be happening. What are we losing? What will be the long-term effects? How do we monitor this; how can we catch it before it's irreversible?