Screening out screen time

The kids of today should be going outside to enjoy their young lives to the maximum. There was once a time when we would watch as they observed the world around them with awe, taking in scenery around them and bombarding their parents with questions about everything. But sadly, those days of happy exuberance are but a memory now.

When you’re out and about, one thing remains constant – everyone is glued to some kind of device. Some people might have a smartphone in one hand and a music player in the other, and they’re lost in their music and endless instant messages as they walk down the busy streets. Many associate these activities with young adults, but as technology becomes more accessible to the younger set, it’s become commonplace to see toddlers gazing into a screen of some sort.

I can certainly understand the reason for this. If the children are using with the devices, they won’t be causing problems for their parents. In fact, when I see kids with devices, they’re playing educational games or watching educational programming. There are certainly some benefits there, as these games and programs help them develop certain skills, such as word formation and basic math.

But all benefits aside, some people are turning mobile devices into virtual pacifiers or digital babysitters for their children. It’s gotten to the point where some of them have developed an addiction to the devices; to such an extent that when it’s time to put them away, the little ones throw a fit and demand they be returned immediately. 

In the past, parents were criticized for turning their television sets into babysitters while they went about their household business. The same can be said about smartphones and tablets. It could be argued that it’s become a Catch-22 – the kids are quiet, but in turn, they develop a strong attachment to the technology.

There needs to be a way to create a happy medium, where the children are permitted to use the devices, but only for a short amount of time. One method would be to reward good behaviour with 10 minutes of play. It might cause a protest at first, but eventually, the kids will smarten up and realize that if they behave themselves, they’ll get to play their favourite games. 

Introducing children to technology at an early age is certainly not a bad idea; in fact, many preschools are integrating technological aspects into the learning cycle. The interactive elements help them to have fun while learning, and it stimulates their young minds. But allowing them to become addicted to the devices will likely do more bad than good.