Kids and gadgets are almost inseparable today. If you are hoping to surprise a child on their big day, do not bother buying blocks or puzzles. Touchscreens have taken over what used to be delightful for kids.
Isn’t it surprising how quickly these kids master how to use electronic devices?
Today’s kids can comfortably use a mobile phone or tablet better than a feeding bottle. Sadly. It is no longer shocking to see a 2-year old use a mobile phone like a pro.
Electronic gadgets have turned into the main, and sometimes the only, form of entertainment for kids.
But, there’s a problem:
The device usage patterns are worrying. Kids will spend endless hours with these devices and access all sorts of information. The recent Moi Girls fire incident should be a wake-up call. It is alleged that the suspect was a member of a Whatsapp group and the chats point to a pre-meditated act.
Chances are that the parents of the girl had no clue of the existence of such a group chat or the content. Consequently, parents can benefit from useful tips that can help them monitor their child’s activities.
Time to act
Kids and gadgets are playmates but let’s do something: we need to monitor progress and limits access
At this point, it is virtually impossible to escape the high-tech world; the best option is to embrace it. This means striving to find the right balance for the kids when it comes to using various gadgets.
Excessive screen time has been seen to have enormous effects on young children. These include delayed brain and language development as well as child aggression.
-
Content is key
Technology is not the source of problems; it is what the kids do with it. As a parent or guardian, if you closely monitor what your kids put in their mouths, you should also be keen on what they are consuming from their gadgets.
Recently, the ‘Blue Whale’ game was linked to the deaths of over 130 teens worldwide. Closer home, the game was banned after a Nairobi teenager committed suicide. The 16-year-old-boy from Kamukunji committed suicide after completing all the 50 stages of the game.
Little children imitate what they see or hear. That means that if a character on a screen uses foul language towards another, this behavior is likely to be replicated.
It is a parent’s responsibility to ensure that kids are consuming child-friendly materials. Get involved. Take time to use technology together with your child and observe how they navigate the online environment.
You download parental control apps to keep check of your kid’s online activities.Thanks to Android, you can download the FamilyTime app which gives you several monitoring options. Also, the Parental Control setting on your web browser is a great option. This blocks access to some websites or an entire web resource.
A parent should ensure that they discuss what children see or hear from devices especially when they are young. If they are in their late teens, it is important to set rules about what content that should and shouldn’t be accessed. Of course, a parent has to monitor this to ensure adherence to set rules.
The app store is deluged with free apps and games and it is a parent’s responsibility to research about age-appropriate apps. This should also include looking for those that support parental control features.
It is also advisable to seek recommendations from reliable sources.
Skeptics argue that while limiting and monitoring access to web content is a good idea, parents do not have control over what their kids can access when they are away from home. While this is a valid argument, the act of limiting or monitoring device usage at home sets standards for age-appropriate content. Whether the child adheres to the set standards depends on the individual child.
-
Gadget detox
Kids and gadgets need time off from each other.
Parents need to limit screen time. Devices should replace babysitters.
Kids need to develop healthy media habits from a young age.
There is the need to balance the use of electronic devices with other child-friendly activities such as reading books, taking a walk, and outdoor play.
On the other hand, parents have to unplug themselves before they can instruct kids on proper device usage. They can start by not taking their phone to the dinner table or during any form of interactions that do not involve devices. Set a good example and children will have a model to look up to.
-
Don’t forget online safety
Children must be taught how to live safely in the tech world.
Teach children the importance of online safety and how they can ensure that they do not become victims of online scams.
Cases of cyberbullying and child pornography have been on the rise; hence, pre-teens and teens should be enlightened on the same. In some cases, children are lured to meet strangers and this can put them in dangerous situations.
The wave of technology is unstoppable. Parents, thus, need to take charge. They need to control device usage patterns among children.
If regulated and supervised, gadgets can have significant benefits to a child’s development. Kids and gadgets are virtually inseparable but limited access and monitoring can help prevent negative effects linked to excessive screen time.
Leave a Reply