Scott Posey counters a recent argument made for not letting children use handheld devices, arguing that the problem lies with permissive parenting, not with technology
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A couple weeks ago an article made the rounds online titled “10 Reasons Why Handheld Devices Should Be Banned for Children Under the Age of 12.” This caused quite a stir with a lot of parents shaking their heads and others nodding emphatically. If you know me personally, then you’ll know that I’m a huge fan of technology. My son will most likely be a huge fan of technology as well. Instead of banning handheld devices for your children like Cris Rowan (author of the aforementioned article) seems to think you should, I present some alternate ideas on how to address your concerns regarding the relationship between technology and your kids.
Do Not Use Technology as a Babysitter
It used to be that, whenever we heard about studies on ADHD and developmental disorders, people were always quick to blame television. Nowadays it seems something more relevant is being blamed—iPhones and portable gaming devices. You constantly hear about children becoming zombies to technology as they sit in front of their devices for countless hours pressing away at games or chatting with their friends. What I want to know is—Where are the parents? Why are these kids allowed to sit for hours on end without some sort of stimulus from the outside world? Everyone is quick to point the finger at technology for ruining our children’s attention span, but why didn’t the parents step in? Allowing a child to play on a handheld device is NOT intrinsically a bad thing. There are countless forms of educational entertainment you can find on iPhones, iPads, and even gaming machines like the Nintendo 3DS that would do wonders for the brain development of a child, but these tools aren’t meant to replace physical activity or social skills gained from playing with other human beings. Let your child have their time on the handheld device and help them find these apps that are a dime a dozen nowadays, but don’t overdo it. Give them a time limit and then afterwards take them to the park for a quick game of catch or take the dog for a walk as a family.
Help Your Child Spend Their Digital Time Wisely
Like I mentioned, there are a number of educational apps and websites that your child can use to learn not only about the world around them but also to better their minds for learning in the future. The IT field is full of possibility and allowing your child to get familiar with all things digital early in their life will better prepare them for the digital world they are growing up in. Sites like Tynker and code.org are extremely worthwhile sites to introduce your child to the world of coding, something that is used heavily in any tech industry today. If your child doesn’t take to coding, there are sites like Duolingo that help you learn different languages through short, interactive online web games. Apps exist on the iPad and iPhone that help kids explore the cosmos from their couch or view the inner workings of the human body. All of these are wildly beneficial to your child’s education and are all made possible with technology. By banning these devices, you are removing these tools from your child’s life and putting them at a disadvantage for when they eventually experience these for the first time in life. Instead, perhaps, try accessing these tools as a family and work at ensuring that your child is making the most of their digital time and not breaking the first rule of using tech as a babysitter.
Game Ratings Exist for a Reason—Use Them
It infuriates me whenever I read an article and the topic of children and violence in videogames is brought up. Without a doubt, the first game they mention each and every time is Grand Theft Auto. You might see a Call of Duty or a Battlefield mention, but GTA is the favorite of the group. Why does this frustrate me so? Because that’s a game meant for ADULTS. The rating is M (for Mature) on each of the previous games I mentioned, meaning that you can’t purchase it if you are under the age of 17 without parental consent. Gamestop employees are required to card or speak to a parental guardian to allow someone to buy the product. I’ve seen grandmothers buy these games for their grandkids and, when the clerk informs about the rating and asks for permission, the adults always give their consent without a second thought. There isn’t any worthwhile evidence to say that violence in gaming causes violence in children. I’m not arguing that point. What I am arguing is that children should NOT be playing these types of games. When gaming hit its stride in the 80’s, most of us were kids. The gaming industry grew up with us and, as our tastes changed, so too did the industry. Parents need to be aware of the ESRB rating on all games before they buy them for their children. If you are a parent and you buy games for your child, take some time to review the rating system at ESRB (US) or PEGI (UK.) There are age-appropriate games out there for people of all ages and styles, but just because it’s called a video “game” doesn’t mean that it’s necessarily for children.
Feed Your Kids a Healthy Diet
The “10 Reasons Why Handheld Devices Should Be Banned” article mentions that obesity can be caused by gaming systems in bedrooms or children spending X amount of time in front of a television/handheld device. What they don’t mention is that the parents are the ones who are providing the food to fuel the obesity to their children. Again, I put this on the parents 100%. Banning the use of technology won’t fix the childhood “obesity epidemic.” But working with your kids to eat correctly and maintain an adequate level of physical activity probably will. If you actually take the time to raise your child instead of letting technology do it for you and feed your children a balanced diet, you’ll quickly find that it wasn’t your PS4 that was slipping Twinkies into your child’s lunchbox.
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These are just a couple of the reasons why I think Rowan’s article on banning handheld devices is complete nonsense. Technology isn’t something to be feared and it’s also not something to abuse. By using common sense and good parenting techniques, you can ensure your child will both have a jump start on their technological future and have a great relationship with you in the process.
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Article originally appeared on FatherNerdsBest.com; Credit: Image—Brad Flickinger/Flickr
Technology should be embraced and taught instead of being avoided. It’s valuable tool being used now and will be used in the future. The next generation should not be afraid to use it, but should learn to harness it responsibly. Technology is most dangerous when people (kids and adults alike) use it and they don’t know its dangers and how to use it properly– whether its managing your time (i.e., not getting addicted) or when you create an online presence (i.e., protecting your privacy). It’s like how cooking or using a knife are life skills, but can be dangerous if… Read more »
Scott, I’m actually in the middle of writing something about this same issue. I need to read that post that made you rebut, but if you end up reading mine, you’ll see I sit on the fence. 1) I know there is a need to introduce technology But 2) it’s a gateway drug. It’s hard to not see that right? You can monitor the techno-use as a toddler, but you can’t as a teen. You should look up some of these sites that teens are using instead of Facebook now for sexting, and their form of non adult social media…… Read more »
Thank you for writing the counter to Cris Rowan’s poorly researched article. I point out some of the holes in her research in ths Huff Po Parents piece http://www.huffingtonpost.com/lisa-nielsen/10-reasons-why-the-resear_b_5004413.html
Thank you for sharing! It was a bit of a shock when I read her article and saw how quickly it was making the rounds on facebook. My wife actually sent it to me and asked what I thought, which is why I initially decided to write this article.
Well said. It is easier said than done … keeping kids from technology. This year, I relaxed our family policy. (It is hard to enforce such a ban if you, as a parent, are constantly on your own technology.) Plus, this reminds me of the “no sugar” movement where you then have children who binge on sugar when away from home. Moderation. Wonderful counter to the ban electronics article.
Moderation really is the name of the game. If you restrict something it will only make something that much more alluring. Sort of like how my mother would never let me watch “The Exorcist” as a kid. It wasn’t until I was a teen when I finally saw it and loved it – probably because it was such a taboo thing.