Digital Kids: The Good, The Bad, and The Genius

I've encountered articles, after videos, after ranting moms and "experts", all with this warped view on how technology is the downfall of healthy, active, and compassionate children. I think there may be a confusion on what technology is. Technology is a tool; a tool for learning, advancing, and leisure. The notion that children are spending too much time playing video games, watching Youtube, even chatting with friends online was never "technologies fault".

Parents need to realize that technology is not taking anything away from our children. It's doing quite the opposite. The problem is human error! We control technology, it doesn't control us. If a child is spending too much time sitting in front of a gaming console, or tapping away on a keyboard, it's because parents are allowing it. A child doesn't know when enough is enough, like with anything else- dessert, staying in the sun too long, staying out past dark... Parents are 100% responsible for moderating all things, don't blame a mindless set of methods and processes. Just to put it out there though, you can set your children's devices to shut off after a certain amount of hours. There is no excuse to not utilize these sorts of features.

  • Limit It for Little Ones – Many studies have shown that it’s best to limit kids’ screen time to 2 hours a day.
  • Keep It Educational – Limit kids technology to that which is educational and not just entertaining. I’ve found that my kids learn certain concepts (like math) better through technology!
  • Balance It Out with Play – Make sure the kids are getting enough imaginative play and outdoor play, too. Everything in moderation, Mama!
  • Try a Token System – Make technology the reward for good behavior and/or household chores. This will help with controlling technology time, too.
  • Monitor, Monitor, Monitor! – Make sure you’re always monitoring kids technology so that it is kid appropriate. Use programs if you need to for blocking inappropriate content, and keep technology in family areas where you can see it.

As parents we are here to encourage, support, and push our children to be the best possible "You". We are to provide them with whatever it is that they need to grow into successful, intelligent, and confident beings. Over thousands of years this has always been the same. Times change and so does what it takes to thrive, to survive in society! Go ahead and be in denial, that your child will not need technology, they will grow their own food, live off the land, never run into medical issues. You're probably living in the world of 30 years ago, when you were not even alive yet.

The good old days where kids just played outside, built tree houses, and had secret clubs is over. Of course this doesn't mean kids need to be cooped up in the house, becoming little digitized versions of themselves. Just as important as technology is, physical activity is VERY important. Team sports, social interaction, play dates, all are very crucial to raising a well-adjusted kiddo.

We are smack dab in the middle of the Information Age. Also known as the Digital Age, Computer Age, or New Media Age. This is evolution, how humans are evolving and technology is everywhere. Kids NEED to know how to use technologies in order to thrive and in order to work in the future. Try to think of a profession that doesn't require some sort of technical knowledge because there isn't one. Now imagine your children entering the work field 10-15 years from now, with how fast technology is advancing. I'm sure you see what I am getting at! Children absorb, and retain knowledge the easiest in their youngest years. Why not introduce them young? Why not encourage and get ahead of the curve?

There are so many great resources out there for children. For example, my son (6) recently built his first computer kit (http://www.kano.me/kit). He hasn't stop programming since and becoming familiar with Python (programming language) and Java Script(programming language of HTML). He has been telling me for a year now that he wants to grow up to be a video game designer. Building video games is what he wants to do, it's my responsibility as a parent to keep him interested in it. Give him the tools he needs to get in there and get his hands dirty. I've never been more proud of my little man and less than a month after receiving his computer kit and starting to program, he has built his very first game!!!! Flappy Batman (http://studio.code.org/c/95657043) was designed and programmed by a 6-year-old, in under 2 hours.

If your child wants to be a doctor, get them cool little doctor kits. If a fireman is what your child wishes to be, take them by the firehouse on community days. My child wants to be a video game designer, so I provided him with the computer, and the age appropriate video game building programs. I don't see where the difference lies! These same parents that snub children and technology would probably snub the notion of video game creation as a career; it's not a doctor, lawyer, or fireman. What they don't realize is that this is an incredible career choice. It is computer science and computer engineering, mathematics; if that's not something, I beg you to differ with a computer engineer! (good freaking luck)...

  • Technology can help kids learn information quickly and easily.
  • Technology is utilized in all work environments, and learning it at a young age can help kids be prepared better to use it in their career.
  • Technology can connect kids with their peers and promote social interaction.
  • Technology teaches skills such as collaborative play, strategic thinking/troubleshooting, and problem solving.
  • Technology is an essential tool in helping children with learning disabilities.
  • Technology is a useful tool for parents to keep kids entertained when kids are bored or when parents need time to complete other tasks without interruptions.

Not every child needs to be a computer genius. They don't need to program, write code, or build a computer. They DO need the exposure, and time to play around with devices; be it tablets, smart devices, computers. Just give them the opportunity to use the amazing resources that are out there. Don't handicap your child by keeping them sheltered from the future of existence. Technology is here to stay, go ahead and embrace it, let them embrace it!

Next Chapter: 2.0