Technology and your child: pros and cons

A few years ago, the idea of giving an iPad to a sticky-fingered toddler sounded ludicrous. Today, however, iPads, along with iPhones and other smartphones and tablets, have become popular “babysitter replacements” in modern homes – often used by mom or dad to keep toddlers and pre-schoolers occupied.

Knowing that technology is going to be a driving force in our children’s lives, we want them to be comfortable with it, but, at the same time, we also want them to do the things we did as kids –  play outside, be active, and be “engaged” with the real world around them.

Should your child be allowed screen time?

Not much has been “scientifically” documented about whether playing with an iPad is good or bad for children. Small children owning iPads is such a recent development that few studies have been carried out. But there are many studies into other screen-based activities, such as watching television.

Good to know: The American Academy of Pediatrics discourages screentime in toddlers under two and recommends between one and two hours’ quality programmes daily for older children.

The problems with screens 

• Studies link many negatives, including obesity and attention disorders, to the length of time spent on the device or in front of the screen.
• Inappropriate content is linked to aggressive behaviour, poor body image, sexual activity, and more.

Good to know: Studies do show that quality TV programmes may contribute to higher language and maths scores. There is also a growing pool of educational or creative content designed for children in apps. The studies into other screen media are useful, but the iPad is different from other electronic devices, for two reasons:

• It’s much more interactive than television
• It’s easier to use than a computer

Playing and learning

Apple promotes the iPad as an educational tool that encourages creative, hands-on learning. But is it really? Sure, we’d rather our kids be building with Lego or in the sandpit, but there are the options of good educational apps that teach skills, such as learning colours or pattern recognition, or basic counting games.

Occupational therapist from ADDnova OT centre in Johanesburg, Lucinda Home, sees frequent use of the iPad among very young children in her practice. She acknowledges educational apps may have a role in teaching specific skills, but she is sceptical about the value of learning through a screen.

“Nothing can replace traditional play with the real world and other human beings,” she says. “Children learn and develop by integrating a variety of sensory inputs (touch, sight, hearing, movement, and so on) to form an accurate picture of their environment and the elements of their current tasks. Integration and true learning of skills is dependent on feedback from the environment, specifically proprioceptive (muscle and joint feedback) and vestibular (movement) feedback.”

She explains that tablets strengthen the child’s ability to adjust to visual cues, without recourse to the other senses. She cautions that too much ‘app time’ may result in the child learning ‘splinter skills’ without truly understanding the concepts involved in the skill he appears to have developed.

Tips on how to manage kids and technology

• If grown-ups can get addicted to Angry Birds, what can you expect from a child? As a parent, you really have to manage it – 20 minutes of play maximum.
• Don’t leave the iPad in plain sight. Be more aware of your own screen usage and make more of an effort to keep cellphones, tablets, and laptops out of family time.
• Some moms and dads find that an evening-only policy works best, while others allow access only on weekends. But definitely not 24.7!
• Choose app games that are child-friendly and offer imaginative, open-ended play.
• Keep an eye out for enriching apps, like ebooks, which include a story and game elements.
• Always keep in mind that screenplay is no substitute for active, social, and physical play.