Saturday, 4 October 2014
Buying Tech Tools for Kids
At this time of year, shiny new devices are on everyone's mind. For many families, giving gifts comes precompiled with enthusiasm, but also sometimes with anxiety, especially when something with a screen is under the gift wrap. Are children who lose out in empathy, connection and social skills?
It's not a completely irrational fear. Mobile devices and tablets are amazing (and toys) tools, to be sure. But their mobility and size make it difficult to keep track of the devices themselves and the ways in which their children are using. How will you balance the nature forcing these devices "with family life and some time unplugged? Also, not all applications are equal. Contents of some applications may not be in harmony with the values of your family or a setting with the developmental stage of your child.
So while a new electronic gadget can be a fabulous gift and widely used, it also requires a little more planning a board game or a colorful sweater. When Mom, Dad, or Santa plan to bring your child a portable music device, a portable gaming system or a tablet computer, it is important to plan for their role in your child's life and ecology of the means of all family.
With a little planning, each device that enters your home can fit into your family's values, without sucking everyone in their separate corners. Here are some tips:
Plan before you buy: This is not the time to buy impulsively. Both parents must be on the same page. Generous grandparents and other family members must obtain parental clear green light before the presentation of a child with a gift that put parents in the role of intermediaries, buyers and application support.
Ask yourself and your partner some questions: If your child is asking for a new gadget: what do you want you are looking for? (Music? Internet browsing? Games? Apps? Take Art? Programming? Because their friends have one? All of the above?) What family interests can this new device support and encourage? Are there other brothers who want access to the new machine? How will you handle that? Ask yourself if you are likely to lose, break, etc. You will replace it if something happens to her?
For younger children: Especially with preschoolers or kindergarten, you may want to buy the device for the family and make it clear that the child can use it only at certain times. Plan ahead where the charging device and stored when not in use. Plan routines, so do not get into habits that will be hard to break.
About the contents: Ideally, you want to choose the content that encourages your child to connect more with others rather than less. Consider games that encourage cooperation and collaboration. Check out this list of games to develop empathy and applications curated by Common Sense Media, and look out for games like AOK using emblems and other gaming technologies to encourage children to make a difference offline.
On the money: For a younger child, be sure to configure the devices to not be able to buy stuff from the app stores your credit card. If you let an older child choose some apps or music, talking on the financial parameters: How much per week or month can you spend? Consider using a prepaid account. If your child wants an account on social applications like Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, consider the age limits more than 13 of these companies, and clarify that it is necessary to take all decisions together applications.
While some mobile devices can be configured to restrict the content, do not over-rely on these automated controls. They are blunt instruments and can also block much of the content as not to block everything you can imagine they would.
Talking to your child and be with them when they are using their devices-is still the best way to know what they are using their devices. For very young children, locking device completely off the Internet is a good solution if you can not be there. A six year old can have a great experience play games, solve puzzles, read ebooks and much more, without having to go online. Also, if your child uses headphones, it's super important to set the volume control of music and sound effects.
All together now: Emphasizing fun activities that you can enjoy with your children is a proven technique to keep the lines open dialogue and to support their learning. Try some applications that can enjoy together.
And do not forget to share some of your favorite music with your child while she is still young enough to think you are great! Listening Parties are a big part of the weekend in our house. They are a great way to use technology to bring the family. While we can start listening in our devices, we also love to go out guitars, ukuleles and drums and do some old school jam!
Before the box was opened: Although it may interfere with the "wow factor" I suggest having a meeting with your child before he gets his new gift. Are there times when you will be out of bounds? What applications will be allowed? What are the consequences of misuse? You may want to keep in your own room at night so it does not interfere with sleep. You are setting habits now that will be relevant when your child gets their first mobile phone.
Include yourself in the plan: Give your child a new device can also be a great opportunity to examine their own relationship with digital tools and toys that are already in your home. When you are spending time with your child, let your smartphone or computer step. Try going to the free technology park. Modeling a balanced use their own devices could be the most important message you can send to your child about the role of technology in your family.
How have the new devices affected the lives of their family together? Let us know in the comments.
Merry Christmas!
Sorry, Devorah Heitner is no longer taking questions. Feel free to comment on the article and let us know what you think about it.
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Related links:
Raising Digital Natives
Home Empathy
Tips for buying apps for kids
When to introduce your child to a Smartphone or Tablet
Media and Technology Glossary
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