CYBER

PARENTING

The role of technology in raising todays

fully wired children

Whether it’s for educational or entertainment

purposes, there are many uses for technology when

caring for a young child. A laptop has so many

different uses, it can seem a veritable candy store to

children.

In a world where millenial parents document their children’s prenatal

development via Facebook, today’s toddlers come into the world

with an existing online presence.

Their first steps

and other

milestones of their

development are

documented in

photo albums.

These kids are

present on

facebook before

they even sign up

for the service.

Facebook’s roots are as a college social networking site. Next, it

caught on with younger users. Now that these younger users are

becoming parents, the dynamic is shifting.

Debates rage about how to moniter facebook activity as

Users are becoming younger and younger, neglecting the

13 year age requirement.

Should parents have their

childrens passwords?

Friend them on facebook

or follow them on other

sites like twitter?

Online activity is becoming a reality for the wired generation.

Many believe that simply friending your child online allows for

an adequate amount of supervision

Experts say this will create an open relationship, allowing for

parents to comfortably guide their children in online endeavors

and teach them safe practices.

The social media debate aside, what are the positives and

Negatives of using computers and other technology as

educational tools for toddlers?

Computers and gaming

are normally associated

with pleasure and

entertainment.

However, studies are

beginning to show that

there is some merit to

educational gaming

The educational system is coming around to the idea of

technology as a tool. Ipads and smartscreens are making

their way into classrooms everywhere.

The latest trend is educational ipad and iphone apps for

preschoolers, who naturally gravitate towards these touch

screen technologies

The British government created an initiative for all children

to master basic computer skills by the age of 4.

Though it may seem ridiculous, those without technology skills

often fall behind in the school system and later in the work force.

However many experts believe introducing such young childrento screen technology will impair their cognitive development

According to a study in the Journal of Pediatrics, children

Under 2 show no signs of positive change when exposed to

technology, on the contrary it slows language skills.

Whatever your slant on the issue of children and technology, it

is difficult to argue that it is important for young adults entering

higher education facilities as well as the job force to have

adequate knowledge and experience with techology.

credits

• http://www.technologyreview.com/blog/mimssbits/26048/

• http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/education/article3864656.ece

• http://www.wired.com/culture/lifestyle/news/1999/02/17828

• Photographs all attribution creative commons licensced

• thanks to flickr photographers: Horia Varlan, kdinuraj, soelin, kabils

markhillary, Hillary the mammal, Pink Sherbet Photography, e v e r y

s I n g l e d a y, craigmdenis, baldri, Luiz Gastavo Leme, annrkiszt, an monica secas, Waka Jawaka