As We Stop the Spread, What Are We Doing for Children?
Tech Empowerment vs. Tech Dependency in the Age of COVID-19
While most of us anxiously await the chance to put 2020 behind us, there is one unhurried soul merrily reveling in the bounty of this year — Baby Shark.
Indeed, just this month, the beloved underwater character and his entire Pinkfong clan claimed the title of “Most Watched YouTube Video of All Time,” soaring well above 7.04 million views.
While this feat may come as a surprise to many, a quick glance into the data will reveal that this isn’t astounding at all, especially considering the video’s appeal to one of the largest demographics in YouTube’s consumer base: children. In fact, in 2019, YouTube was hailed “the most popular babysitter in the world” and a Pew Study found that videos featuring children were viewed three times more than videos in any other category.
One can only imagine how much those statistics have skyrocketed since the onset of the global pandemic, with a 60% increase reported in technology use at-large. Quite frankly, it would be absurd to expect otherwise, as COVID-19 has shaken our world to its core, changed the course of life as we once knew it, without a discernible end in sight.
Our new normal consists of work-from-home culture, virtual learning, masks, and face shields, and at the crux of it all lies our indispensable friend, technology. Once an arbitrary tool, now a permanent fixture, that we simply cannot do without, but as with any tool, mishandling may lead to risks, like obsession and misuse, especially for adolescents.
Fortunately, there are ways to mitigate these risks and teach children to actively master technology, rather than passively letting it control them. And with the possibility of another shutdown in our horizon, there has never been a more opportune time for them to learn.
Teach them to Create, Not Just Consume
The most notable innovators in the tech industry have spoken publically about limiting screen time within their home. Apple’s late and great Steve Jobs, Google’s Sandar Pichai, and Snapchat’s Evan Spiegal, among others. They all expressed a need for balance in childrens’ lives to embolden imagination and independent thinking.
While we would be wise to follow their example, considering their expertise in the industry, COVID-19 has completely thrown any semblance of “balance” out the window. Even pediatric experts have urged parents not to obsess over the amount of time children spend utilizing technology. What matters most is how they use that technology. A new era demands new rules and by not only ensuring that kids injest quality content, but inspiring them to build content of their own, we can cultivate a generation of leaders who are ready to rule tomorrow.
“If we teach today as we taught yesterday, we rob our children of tomorrow.”
-John Dewey
Ignite a Passion for Coding
As a former teacher turned Junior Developer, I am an avid believer that learning the fundamentals of computer programming and web development can provide invaluable benefit to people of all ages, but especially for children. It bolsters problem-solving, critical thinking, perserverance, vulnerability, collaboration, and the ability to perform magic in its purest form. Not to mention it’s advancement of science and math skills. The elation that one feels from building a web application from scratch is simply indescribable. Learning to code is learning that life has no limits. Here are a few kids learning resources that range in price and level of difficulty:
- CodeWhiz : virtual and in-person coding program for ages 11–18
- Code.org : interactive website with K-12 coding lessons and activities
- Code Spark Academy: award-winning learning app for kid ages 5–9
Encourage Content Creation
Ryan Kaji is only nine years old and just last year he was declared the highest earning YouTuber. Forbes reported that the revenue from his channel, “Ryan’s World” and his accompanying endorsements accrued to a whopping $26 million. Though the dollar amount is quite extraordinary, what’s equally, if not more incredible is his ability (with the help of his parent’s) to produce creative content that has reached more than 26 million subscribers across the globe. Every child is inherently unique with special talents and interests, and with proper supervision, they can harness self-expression and make positive contributions to the world. Here is a list of resources that invoke artistry and creativty in children:
- iMovie : app for kids to create and edit their own video production
- Book Creator : app for children interested in writing and storytelling
- Garage Band : the perfect app for children who are musically inclined
If nothing else is certain about our future, we can be confident that technology is here to stay. A report by the Institute of the Future projects that 85% of the jobs of the future don’t even exist yet, and that technology’s role in our lives will increase so substantially that our very existences will be intertwined. Though that future seems distant, it is impeding for our children and the best thing we can do in their interest is prepare them for it today.
They may become designers or digital engineers. Maybe they’ll catalyze the next tech revolution. All because we planted seeds that empowered them to fly.
