It is the year 2018. Technology is all around us. Smartphones, computers, tablets, televisions, etc. It almost feels like we can’t escape it anymore. But we don’t have to. We can embrace the tremendous abilities technology can do for us and derive only the benefits it can give us. We shouldn’t view technology as being ‘good’ or ‘bad’. Technology, like many other things in life, should be utilized and/or consumed in moderation. As a parent, what is the best approach to introduce technology into your kids’ lives? We will present you with five effective ways you can take advantage of the benefits of technology, without overusing it.
There are multiple benefits kids can derive from using technology from an early age. Here is a list of some of the benefits kids have demonstrated to acquire or improve through the use of technology, whether it be new devices, software, or development breakthroughs:
- Better problem solving skills: technology is in itself a problem solver. You should teach your kids to use it as a tool to help solve their problems. Whether it is a new handheld device for your home or a cool new robotic arm for surgeons, kids need to learn what purpose it serves and what problem it solves. Moreover, achievement-based games are made to strategize and reach a goal. Kids learn how to do this while playing, even if unaware of the problem solving process they are going through, and realize that their actions and decisions have consequences.
- Higher capacity for visual attention: there has been studies showing it is easier to develop attention skills for children who are avid players of action video games, than it is for non-gamers. This research showed that kids who played action games showed enhanced performance on all aspects of attention tested as compared to kids who were not exposed to games and technology as much. We are not saying your kid MUST play a video game to have improved attention, but it is rather finding that one thing that your kid fully dives deep into and enjoys it so much that they place all their attention on it.
- Better hand-eye coordination: playing games that demand quick reactions and physical responses will help to improve the speed and way children can react to what they see. A study from the University of Toronto finds that people who regularly play action video games are better able to improve hand-eye coordination than people who do not play video games.
- Access to unlimited information to learn from: if the information they can access is safe and reliable, kids are able to research everything they are interested to actively learn about. Additionally, they have access to almost anyone anywhere in the world, which gives them access to different opinions, cultures, and generations of knowledge.
- Improved language skills: our kids are now exposed to more information that might be available in other languages or with subtitles. They also have access to online translating tools, digital assistants like Siri, and apps that can facilitate the study of a new language.
And so much more.
On the other hand, many people voice their concerns about some negative effects technology could have on our kids. Here are some of the major points people usually bring up:
- Relationship and social skill issues because kids may become isolated with the use of technology. It can be easy to fall into using technology alone, hence, decreasing and/or deteriorating their relationship with others.
- Lack of physical activity. Most of the mainstream technology devices require little to no physical activity, which if it consumes a majority of their time, can result in health issues for your kids.
- Exposure to improper information and images like violence, nudity, or obscene language.
- Reduce sleep quality because the use of technology is extended past bedtime. Additionally, there have been studies that show that the use of technology can block the production of melatonin, the body’s sleep hormone. If your child is cutting sleep time due to not being able to disconnect from the use of any technology, it will affect your kids’ ability to give quality rest to their bodies and brain.
- Signs of anxiety and depression. Kids and teenagers report more signs of feeling anxiety and feeling overwhelmed today than they did in the past. Some people argue the main reason for this is the extensive use of technology. New technology devices, applications, or social networks are scientifically proven to be able to become very addictive (from the release of dopamine and other ‘feel-good’ chemicals our body can produce). Kids can physically feel some withdrawal symptoms or intense feelings of ‘fear of missing out’ (FOMO) when they are disconnected. Additionally, they experience cyberbullying, be exposed to negative groups or views of the world, and feel overwhelmed with social interactions in the online space.
We believe that the positive benefits that technology offers far outweigh the possible, but not certain, negative effects and that you can approach it to your kid’s advantage. Using a proper approach can help you maximize the benefits for your kids, while minimizing the negative effects. Therefore, we have researched and come up with five great approaches to introduce technology in your kids’ lives.
Know when to start introducing technology
Children should start learning to interact with others as early as possible. We know how easy it is to give them tablets and smartphones to keep them distracted, but it is far more beneficial for them to learn how to interact and spend time with other people, first. This will also enable our kids to foster friendships and good relationships, Read about why your kids need to create good relationship from early on on our blog post here. We encourage you to check it out.
Therefore, at least for the very early ages, it may be more beneficial to keep your kids away from technology. As time progresses, you can start introducing them to tablets and smartphones gradually. Instead of completely giving them their own device, share yours with them for small periods. Make them understand it is not something to use all the time, but rather every once in a while to perform certain tasks or for small lapses if just for entertainment.
Here is a guideline of how you can gradually introduce technology to your kids by age groups.
- Avoid digital media for toddlers younger than 18 months.
- For children 18 to 24 months, watch digital media with them, so they learn from watching and talking with you.
- Limit screen use for preschool children, ages 2 to 5, to just 1 hour a day of high-quality programing.
Remember, it is okay for your family to be different. We understand it can be hard to completely escape technology. We have family, neighbors, and friends who might not take the same approach. However, you can help your kids understand that and know that your house rules may be a little different than others. On a previous post, we talk about how to positively influence your kids. Use these principles to help your kids understand the reasoning behind your family rules and help them realize the benefits you are trying to bring to their life. You don’t want to be seen as a pressing dictator with no regard for them. That is a quick way to stir up rebellion in young kids and for negative feelings to arise.
Set limits and encourage play time
Just like any other activity, media use should have reasonable limits. Set boundaries to how much time they can be in front of a screen, how many shows they can watch, or how many games they can play.
With time, this will help your children be more present in the moment. If your kid can learn to achieve balance between screen time and human-interaction time, they will have a positive and successful development.
Be a Good Role model
This principle will never cease to exist in any parenting approach. Kids are always absorbing everything they see, hear, and feel, especially when it comes from their parents. If your kid sees you always on your phone, watching TV, or working on your computer, they will probably try to copy this behavior as it will seem natural to them.
Remember that even though you may not be aware, your kid is on their prime development stage during their childhood, and everything they observe and are exposed to has a lasting impact on them. Too much total technology time, whether it be the phone, TV, and/or computer/tablet could bring some of the negative effects mentioned earlier.
Therefore, like many other behaviors and habits, if you want to positively influence your children with the use of technology, be a good role model and follow your own rules and walk the talk with them.
Technology should not always mean ‘alone time’
Many people associate the use of technology and modern devices with being secluded or in isolation. However, this isn’t always the case, nor is it the only way technology was meant to be used. In fact, many of today’s mainstream social networks are digitally connecting people 24/7. You want your kids to have positive relationships and develop social skills that allows them to be comfortable with being their true self around others. Therefore, you should use technology as another method to foster meaningful relationships with them.
Co-view, co-play and co-engage with your children when they are using devices. This encourages social interactions, bonding, and learning. Also, spend some time playing a video game with them. It’s a good way to learn about teamwork and good sportsmanship. Use the opportunity of watching a show together to introduce and share your own life experiences, perspectives, and guidance. If you are working on a project, such as building a treehouse, or any other activity, you can use technology for both of you to collaborate and plan effectively. This actually primes them perfectly for how much of today’s modern workplace tends to occur. Don’t just monitor their activity online, interact with them, be the parent who knows about all the social media platforms, without being creepy or sneaking up on them.
Establish technology-free zones
It is important to know when and where it is okay to use technology, and where it is not. For example, kids should not be using their phones on the dining table during a family meal, and neither should you. Another option is to recharge devices overnight outside your child’s bedroom to help him or her avoid the temptation to use them when they should be sleeping, especially in the younger age ranges like the ones mentioned previously. This also allows them to wind down after an active day and let their minds rest. Keep their rooms as technology/device free as possible. These changes encourage more family time and better sleep.
Take this with you and apply at least one thing!
In this article, we discussed how even though technology has been back-lashed for some potential negative effects on kids, there is a way you can limit it and use it so that it actually benefits your children’s development.
We presented five effective ways to better approach the use of technology by your kids. Understand the right use of technology for the different age groups
- Set limits for its usage and encourage play time
- Be a good role model and actually follow the rules you set at home
- Use technology as a way to interact, instead of linking it with alone time
- Establish technology-free zones like mealtimes and your kids bedrooms
As you can see, what all of these approaches can show us is to limit the excess use of technology. Too much of one thing can backfire when it is overused and technology is no exception. It is important to understand the limits for the entire family, and use technology in ways that are beneficial for your kids development like improving learning skills, attention skills, coordination skills.
We know every family is different! Comment below how you approach the use of technology by your kids and what your house rules are. Idea sharing and picking often leads to effective and well-balanced approaches.
Resources
American Academy of Pediatrics. “Kids & Tech: Tips for Parents in the Digital Age.” Healthy Children. May 1st, 2018. https://www.healthychildren.org/English/family-life/Media/Pages/Tips-for-Parents-Digital-Age.aspx
Screen Guide. “5 negative impacts of technology in children.” http://screen.guide/advice/5-negative-impacts-of-technology-in-children
“Technology and children: A calm approach to a hot-button issue.” Potomac Waldorf Org. April 6th, 2018. https://www.potomacwaldorf.org/single-post/2018/04/06/Technology-and-children-A-calm-approach-to-a-hot-button-issue
Dye, Matthew W.G. “Differential development of visual attention skills in school-age children.” ScienceDirect. October 2009. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S004269890900474X
“Action Video Games may Improve Hand-eye Coordination” Integrated Listening Systems. https://integratedlistening.com/blog/2014/10/21/action-video-games-may-improve-hand-eye-coordination/ Brooks, Rita. “How Technology Impacts Sleep Quality.” February 8th, 2018. https://www.aastweb.org/blog/how-technology-impacts-sleep-quality