Age and Technology – How to Decide the Right Age of Introducing Kids to Technology
The dilemma that most parents face in this technology-driven world is whether they should be allowing their kids an access to gadgets like tablets and iPads. A key concern of the parents is regarding the right age for introducing kids to these devices and what is the right way to do it.
IPads or tablets inherently have tremendous value embedded in them and can aid in the development of a child. But, parents are bothered and are anxious due to an overriding tendency among kids to abuse these devices. While the concerns of the parents are absolutely genuine, choosing a middle path is the most advised solution.
There is actually no definite recommended ages when kids ought to be exposed to these devices. As around 80 percent of the brain development in a child happens by age 3, so from a capability perspective, age is not an issue. What is more important than the age is to ensure that the child is able to exercise required discipline while using these devices. This is in fact the most critical aspect in ensuring that these power packed devices are becoming a boon for a child’s development rather than a bane.
Selective Exposure is Important
The primary concerns and risk that parents visualize about starting too early is their kid developing an addiction for the various games and mobile apps that are incorporated into these devices. Some kids become so addicted to the games so much so that they become couch potatoes and over time lose the value of fun in physical activities. As a result, the psychological and physical development of such children is hugely impacted.
But in an era, where technology has so much influence on our everyday life, it is practically impossible to ask your kids to stay away from these gadgets. Also, a parent would never want to see their kid not keeping abreast with the demands of the time. In such a scenario, it is pertinent that kids are exposed to these devices.
While exposing your kids to technology, the need is to be cautious, especially in the early stages when the child is learning to use these devices. At this stage, the exposure has to be selective. Thankfully, mobile application development has advanced, so parents have the option to choose mobile apps that help kids learn the basics of education while making the whole experience fun-filled.
So parents should make sure that their child’s exposure remains restricted to select mobile apps that combine fun with learning.
Help Kids Envisage the Immense Value of these Devices
It is quite common to find kids misusing technology. They get addicted to games because to them the value of these devices is just restricted to the fun part these things provide. Such a mindset develops because these kids are not exposed to a host of other features these devices have. So when sharing these gadgets, parents should make it a point to explain the positive virtues and values of these devices to their kids.
Parents should take time out to explain to kids how mobile application software that are built-in in an iPad or a tablet can make a cumbersome or routine task so easy. Gradually, kids will learn to look at the devices more respectfully and use them accordingly.
Ensure Discipline with Respect to How Much Time Kids can Spend with these Gadgets
Parents can fix a time slot in a day when they can share the various applications of these devices with their kids and allow them to experiment. Ensure your kids adhere to the given time slots and use it constructively.
There are numerous mobile apps that can help expedite the learning process and can make the process more of a fun than a burden. In fact, even the games that kids play can aid in the mental development of a child. Choosing the right game allows a child to react better and improve his coordination skills.
Conclusion: The benefit that technology confers in the mental development of a child is immense. Parents need to ensure that kids are exposed selectively and use the device in a disciplined way so that a balance development of a child’s mental and physical faculties can occur.
