These days, everyone is surrounded by technology. Whether it’s at work, using your smartphone on the bus or tweeting commentary while you watch your favourite reality TV show. It is no wonder we are seeing the push for technology to become an integrated part of our children’s education.
It’s time we stop fighting what is now an important part of our children’s social lives and their education. We need our children to be as tech-literate as possible.
How can it be wrong to encourage something that strengthens their friendships, assists their education and increases their job prospects?
Still, I come across families who fight technology. They still feel that if children use technology too much it’s a bad thing, and why?
They restrict their children’s access to devices during the week, allowing them to binge on weekends, or only let them use computers and tablets for homework during the week.
I’ll let you in on something… if you allow children to use computers and devices whenever they like, the novelty wears off. My children don’t binge on technology on the weekend and during school holidays because technology in our home is just a normal part of life.
Just as an FYI, you should know that this post is sponsored by Intel Australia. But all opinions expressed by the author are 100 per cent authentic and written in their own words.
Restricting children to the use of computers and devices for school work only doesn’t give them any time to search and explore, to experiment and try new things. Children exercise their imaginations while using technology; they advance their thinking and get better at doing everything.
There are limits, of course. My kids aren’t bent over computers and laptops constantly. For example, we don’t bring them in the car unless we’re going for a long drive. I love to hear their school run chatter. It’s my favourite time of the day. Also, bathrooms are a no-go zone. We haven’t had a smartphone in the toilet yet but it’s only a matter of time. Dinner time is a technology-free zone, and same goes for birthday parties and family functions.
I just don’t understand the resistance some parents have to exposing their kids to technology.
In my early days as a mum, I was more likely to follow other people’s advice. Good mums never feed their kids junk food. Good mums limit technology. Good mums read to their children ever night.
These days I listen to the advice of very few. During one of my moments of concern over technology, my brother shared his thoughts and I quote him to this day. He said that all jobs involve technology. He explained that parents who limit their children’s exposure to computers and tablets are doing them a disservice.
Of course he works in IT, so he really did owe his career to my parent’s willingness to spend hours each night on his computer, playing around, experimenting and even taking it all apart and rebuilding it. After having some time to think about it, I found myself completely agreeing with him.
What are the rules in your house when it comes to kids using technology?
A growing number of schools are adopting a ‘bring your own’ policy, which lets students use their own laptop or tablet in the classroom. This makes it more important than ever to choose the right device for your children.The team at Intel Australia have put together a simple guide to help you pick a great tablet or laptop or even a versatile ‘2 in 1’ device that’s both a tablet and a laptop.
Visit intel.com.au/forschool to find out what really matters when choosing a device for school.
Top Comments
You know I did this at the start ... I let both my boys free reign on their various devices, thinking they would do the right thing, we even had similar restrictions as the article, yet I have one that does his homework, goes out with his friends, goes to sleep when asked even leaves his devices on the bench when going to bed. BUT the other one spent every waking hour on his computer, his phone and his Ipod. He got behind in his school work and he was tired all the time because hes on them late at night. So I have had to tighten up severely on his access!! So this may work for some, but it doesn't work for everybody. I agree that we shouldn't stop our children using technology, I mean they use it in every school these days and workplaces are using and upgrading tech all the time, But they need restrictions, they need to socialise face to face, play sport and be kids and the only way I found to do this with one of my sons is to be really really strict on it on week days and weekends!
My girl only got a mobile phone when she was old enough to start travelling via public transport to school. Then, in senior school, Year 10, she got a laptop with cyber-education from the school and outside of the school. No phones at the dinner table. And no phones when we're in the middle of a conversation. Or obviously now that she is 18 - driving. Phones are a modern communication device for kids. They can text about being bullied, or hurt without the bully hearing them. They provide counselling and support for each other. It's so much bigger than just 'spending alot of time on them'