Parenting in the Digital Age

Since the beginning of time, new technology weaves itself through each generation, making its mark on those who use it, for good or bad.


If history defines each leap of evolution, what will it say about today’s smartphone and tablet usage not only for us adults, but our children?



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According to a recent study, the average adult looks at his or her smartphone more than 150 times per day. Other numbers estimate 56 percent of children between the ages of 10 and 13 own a smartphone.

But what about younger children, ages 2 to 6 let’s say? In my home, both my youngsters (ages 3 and 5) have a Kindle. My wife and I recently purchased them for Christmas (Shhhh, Santa brought them!) in an effort to not only keep them busy for long car rides, but to offer educational games and learning tools they just can’t get from a Jack In The Box.

ABC Mouse, ABC Ninjas, YouTube for kids, among others, are my kids’ favorites. My son A.J. can operate a flight simulator like nobody’s business.

In today’s world, even young children can fully operate these devices. Sometimes better than their parental counterparts.

And in the educational realm, classrooms are moving toward digital textbooks, learning tools, math and English apps, even video conferencing for homeschool kids.

A recent Pew Research Center survey found that 58 percent of U.S. teachers own smartphones, 10 points higher than average adults, and they are building that technology into their lesson plans. The “iPad for every student” movement is gaining traction.

Another study published in the Archives of Disease in Childhood in 2013 indicated that digital games seem to affect children differently than TV, which isn’t interactive. While excessive TV watching can increase the risk for conduct problems, digital games did not.

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Source: dcourier.com