Kids and Technology
Technology is everywhere! Everyone’s definition of technology is different, but for my purposes, it refers to devices. Devices such as: smart phones, notebook and desktop computers, gaming systems, smart home devices, etc. Kids are learning to use these items quicker and earlier than ever before. Children even learn to use certain devices before their parents do.
This can be good and also dangerous at the same time. Teaching our children is vital to help them learn how to effectively use technology. Every household will be different. Now there isn’t necessarily a right or wrong way to do it, but it needs to happen. Let’s be diligent and learn how to, and start to, better teach our children how to use technology appropriately and effectively.
Why is it so important that kids learn how to use technology effectively? Children need teaching, if they aren’t taught well from the beginning then they might not get taught well at all. Children are curious and they are also smart. Technology is everywhere; no way in our day and age is someone going to go through life without using tech.
I have listed some reasons below why we should be focusing more on teaching our kids how to properly use technology:
- avoid overuse and instill good judgment in time management about “screen time”
- learn about the dangers of the internet
- get good habits in electronic communication
- understanding ALL the uses of tech, both good and bad, so they can pick out the good when they’re on their own
- opening their eyes to possible career paths for their future
- gaming isn’t bad, it needs limitations like anything else
Screen time, screen time, screen time. Remember “No TV Week”? With the current world pandemic, I’m sure that this hasn’t been implemented but something that schools used to try to help with teaching about screen time in the past. How much is too much? The University at Albany has an article about excessive screen time use for children; how much is bad, good, etc. It varies for each age group. The point that I want to make is that it needs to be regulated.
The internet can be a scary place. From pornography to predators, etc., the “cloud” is riddled with dangers. Children get caught up in these dangers all the time and the parents don’t even know about it. With the internet so easy to access, it can creep up on them when they least expect it. A friend might have a phone with internet access and show them a picture, someone they don’t know well could send them a message on a device, etc. If you’re open with them about the dangers that are out there from the beginning, they will be more comfortable coming to you as a parent to tell you something.
Kids learn to communicate in the places where they spend the most time; typically at home (some circumstances may be different but the same principles apply). Electronic communication is a subject that sometimes gets missed and people end up learning it on their own. That is not a bad thing, but it certainly could be, depending on the places where they end up learning. You probably don’t want them to learn by example from the internet trolls that are out there. Taking some time to teach your children from a young age how to communicate appropriately will help them to choose to use it for good, and also help them to be successful in their lives.
Technology and devices are tools that have an infinite number of possible uses. As adults, we are typically well aware of these uses, but are our children? Like any other principle that we teach our children, if we teach them the good and the bad of technology, when they see the bad they will recognize it and be able to step away from it or channel it to a good use.
The number of careers on the market today in the field of technology is high, and continually growing. I don’t think kids, and even teens who are about to transition into the adult world, know that fun, rewarding, high-paying careers in tech exist. Kids hear about being a doctor, dentist, lawyer, engineer, etc. In my day, those were the “successful” careers. Some people think of tech careers as “the IT guy”, etc. Tech careers are everywhere now and I’ve listed some below (countless more exist):
- cyber security (analyst, penetration tester, security engineer, security architect)
- web developer
- network administrator
- graphics designer
- software engineer
- database engineer
- IT manager
- application developer
These careers are both rewarding and, most of the time, high paying. If your kid is attracted to technology and enjoys it, don’t worry, they can be as successful in tech as any other career path they might choose in life.
Contrary to possible popular belief, video games are not always a bad thing for children. A lot of games are actually designed to help children with practical thinking and problem solving. As with anything else, there needs to be moderation in gaming as well. This is where the parent can help. Helping a child learn how to limit their time spent gaming and teaching them what is right to play or not (this is a topic all by itself and will be different for every home) is important. Building computer and video games can even be a great career.
Children learn a lot by watching and observing too. If they see their parents spending copious amounts of time on their phones, watching TV, etc., they will probably pick up on those habits as well. Too much screen time can be bad for adults also.
Learning devices that children are interested in is a good idea. If it’s something that they know how to use and you don’t, ask them to teach you. They might be reluctant at first, but in the end it will be a great bonding experience for both sides. Am I saying that it’s bad for our kids to know more than we do? No, but we should have an understanding of what they are using, so we can help them learn to use it properly, both technically and morally.
The point that I want to reiterate is that of the importance of teaching our children about technology, and its uses, as they are growing up. Children will pick up on these teachings better when they’re younger. We all want our children to grow up to be successful adults in every way. Helping them to learn about devices and tech will enable them to live fruitful and enjoyable lives.
