“He’s too young for that.”

“That’s not a toy.”

“She shouldn’t be using that, it isn’t good for her.”

The above are a few of the phrases parents might hear when their children are seen scrolling through a tablet, tapping on a smart phone, or manipulating the mouse on a computer.  Whether it is a result of the “generation gap” or just a general misunderstanding of the uses of technology, there are those that immediately turn their nose up at the idea of a child interacting with what these people apparently see as a “grown up” item.  For some, the idea of bringing a toddler into the computer world while still in diapers is as insane as allowing him or her the keys to the car.  Some will even pull up insane ideas to support their belief (my favorite is, “The child will get radiation poisoning from touching the screen.”).

Obviously, I am a proponent of technology (otherwise, why would I be writing on this site?), but I am also the parent of two small children, one in early pre-school and one who has yet to reach two years on this interesting rock we call earth.  I’m also a professional educator, and am pretty much surrounded by teachers in my circle of family and friends, many who work at the elementary level.  In conversations with all of them, they have supported the notion that getting technology in the hands of children is beneficial to their future.  They point to development of their recognition ability, small motor skills and acquiring of general knowledge.

So, where does the dissenting opinion come from?  As often is the case with technology, it appears that misinformation and misuse are the causes, and in some cases just plain ignorance.  Let’s try to clarify a few misconceptions that seem to be circulating, starting with one that seems to always be brought up with children and technology.

Allowing children to use a tablet will make them lazy and obese.  Replace “use a tablet” with “watch TV” and you can recycle a lot of articles from the past.  YES, if you allow your child to use a tablet while sitting on a couch for eight hours a day, it probably isn’t the healthiest thing for them.  The counter argument is, why would a parent allow their child to sit on the couch for eight hours a day doing anything?  Even if my child were reading War And Peace, at some point I would tell them they needed to get off the couch and get some fresh air.  A child spending too much time on any singular activity is most likely not healthy, but how is technology to blame? It is the parent who needs to help their child develop healthy habits.

Children are wasting time on those things.  This train of thought comes from the same mindset that a tablet or computer is nothing more than a glorified television set or video game system.  If a parent were to use a device simply as a “TV babysitter” for their child, I would agree that at some point it turns into a time killer.  However, there is a lot more a child can do with this technology than just watch their favorite shows on demand.  There are games that can help them learn shapes, colors, numbers and letters.  As they grow older, it can help them with math and reading.  Technology is a tool, and like with any tool, it can be extremely helpful when used properly.

The child isn’t old enough to be using that.  Why?  Because it is expensive?  Because only adults should have devices?  You cannot turn back the clock, we are in a world dominated by technological advances that have incorporated computers and touch screens into our daily routines.  Why should a child have to wait before learning to use these devices?  So they can stare at the ATM for ten minutes trying to figure out which button to press, like someone in a much older generation would?  Technology will be a part of this generation (and subsequent generations) and it is silly to think that it shouldn’t be embraced early in life.

Technology provides us with an advantage over previous generations.  It makes life easier, more convenient, but most importantly, more efficient.  It does not make people lazier or less driven to succeed.  A child will still play, learn, grow and develop.  They will still want to play outside, and they will still want to explore beyond the four corners of their touch screen.  My children use tablets and enjoy them, but they also love feeling the sun on their faces and playing ball in the yard.  We will only have a generation of couch potatoes if Mom and Dad allow it to happen.  Technology is not a threat to our children… poor parenting is.

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