The sociologist Genís Roca, whom we know for his participation in FAROS notebook number 9 (“New Technologies in children and adolescents”), tells us about the 'change of Era' driven by the development of ICT. There is a phrase of his that I love and I hope not to misrepresent, he says "the human being is characterized by language and by using / developing technology." In one of the publications in which you have been interviewed or mentioned, I found a reflection that I really liked ...
A question was asked that I think we mothers and fathers should also ask ourselves. Many times we have the feeling of living conflict situations with our children due to the use of technology; and if I go further, we also tend to 'demonize' everything that surrounds them. But far from thinking “with how well the children were before the smart tv, the tablets, the consoles…; We should understand that perhaps we (the whole of society) have been the ones who needed to move forward and transform our way of communicating, and that is why today we read digital press and paper letters have disappeared from mailboxes. We are going to tell you everything we know about children and tablets, hoping you like it.
"Children are digital natives”(It's a hackneyed phrase, I know) and they know how to use technology with skills that I would already want for myself; This, together with the characteristics inherent in its development (impulsiveness, difficulties in understanding the consequences, etc.), sometimes causes us to be a little afraid of the possible consequences derived from misuse. Who else, who least has maintained some "tug of war" with their offspring in this sense. As if that were not enough, the Internet brings out the best in ourselves, although it can also bring out 'the worst', and that is one of the fears that as we grow up we usually have: that they do not know how to protect people with bad intentions, Y de risky practices.
If as parents we inhibit children's contact with technological devices, we are turning our backs on reality; if we are excessively permissive and carefree, we can harm them due to lack of supervision (there is a concept that exemplifies this very well: “digital orphans”). So is it just a question of balance? Well yes: of balance, of common sense, of understanding the role that we as parents have, of adjusting to what children ask for, but also of their needs as growing beings. With a little practice, and we parents have a lot of that, it is not as difficult as it seems, is it?
Do we need tablets?
Attending to two of the meanings of the word "need" we find that it is 'that which is impossible to resist' and 'lack of things that are necessary for the preservation of life'. So the answer to the question asked is YES and also NO. In any case, contact with ICT devices helps children develop skills that will be very useful to them in the future. When it comes to considering when to make use of it easier for children, I would say that everything depends on age, but also on maturity, and of course on the family budget (that social inequalities are already occurring in this area).
What disadvantages does the use of tablets have for children?
If we make the decision after reflection and we are able to guide and supervise them (more or less intensely depending on whether they are 4 or 14 years old): none. And yes: we have all read recommendations and studies that relate (for example) excessive use to this or that risk or problem. I do not like dogmas, and I go further: the American Academy of Pediatrics that years ago advised against the use of television by children under 2 years of age, is now reformulating its advice and focusing more on content than on age ranges .
To what extent do I know (and I do not know everything) the alerts that throughout these years we have heard: in Japan, pediatricians warned that smartphones and tablets could not be used as babysittersIn the United Kingdom, teachers had noticed that children had lost manual skills, in South Korea there are summer camps for technological detoxification…; Well, all of them are due to excessive use or misuse, ultimately a lack of involvement of adults.
Si we regulate the times of use, we agree on family rules, we communicate a lot with the children on this subject, and we continue to provide them with leisure alternatives, it is most likely that the minors themselves tend to regulation, even if they need parental intervention to do so.
Because if they play a lot on a tablet or a console it doesn't give them air and sun, if they send compromised photos through WhatsApp they may have certain problems; But behind that there are adults who agree without question, buy the PS from a 5-year-old child, the tablet from an 8-month-old baby, and the 12-month-old has never been told anything about cyber-citizenship. Also, if you remember, we counted here that many times the kids have more common sense than us.
At what age are they recommended?
I have already hinted at it, recommending is a bit daring at times: it is the parents who have to make decisions, so the main recommendation is common sense. The second is: be a parent! and understand that sometimes you will have to say "no" to a wish of the girl or boy. Of course, before the age of 6 I would advise against a minor having a tablet their own, but up to that age they can use mom or dad's. In fact, the Organization for Internet User Safety points out that between 3 and 5 years is the age of first contact with technology. It is easier to exercise full and continuous supervision if they use your devices.
¿Before age 3? In my opinion the use will be much more punctual and minority, because when they are developing so many basic and necessary skills, we can (partially) dispense with their continued use of tablets. I repeat: always from prudence and balance, because during early childhood they learn to relate to themselves, with others, with the environment ... If instead of taking them to the park you let them spend the afternoon with your device and they are 4 years old , you do them more harm than good.
How do I guarantee safety.
Viruses, Trojans, addiction, access to inappropriate content, contact with unsuitable people ... phew! If your children are less than 6/7 years old, this is still a bit far for you. but indeed security is basic. That is why I share with you this decalogue prepared by Kids and teens online, which I transcribe, "if you plan to give them a tablet (or other devices) keep in mind":
- Install an antivirus beforehand.
- Activate the password in the terminal in order to control the download of applications and purchases.
- Establish the time of use: that your children know the rule in advance, and that the time is appropriate for their age (30 minutes is a lot for a 2-year-old baby, and few for a 9-year-old child who is doing a school project ). A workday is not the same as a weekend!
- Make it clear in which spaces and times use is NOT allowed, and from what time the screens are turned off.
- Set up parental controls.
- Get used to consulting before uploading photos.
- Tell them it's dangerous to connect to free, public Wi-Fi networks.
- Explain how the screen is locked so that no one can access the content.
- If they know about social networks, check their privacy settings.
- It is important that they gradually understand the convenience of reading the conditions of use of the applications.
What is the best tablet for children?
Over 2 years have become the 'star gift' Christmas, so I am not surprised by the headaches that your purchase generates. In principle, any tablet would be adequate, since it is possible to view or download content suitable for the ages of our children, however there are differentiating characteristics on which some models designed specifically for children are based (the Vtech, Paquito, Clan, etc.) , and that guarantee success.
Therefore, when you are going to choose a tablet for children, make sure that it has an appropriate design, an adapted interface, a 7-inch screen, that is resistant (rugged) or do not have too limited hardware. The most common is that we buy an Android device, and it does not hurt (especially in low cost models) to check that you have access to Google Play.
To conclude and summarize: we live with technology, if you separate your children they can become digitally illiterate, but this does not mean that you have to buy their first brand new tablet at 12 months. What I still observe is a lot of fear of the parents, many alerts from experts, and that could generate confusion, remember that no one can make the decision for you, and do not forget that the presence of technology in our lives is not bad per se. In fact, if our species were not characterized by developing technological advances, we might not have reached the Neolithic.
Images - nooccar, flickerbrad, umpcportal.com, openness