We purchase and manage iPads for our grandkids. I suppose some may assume we are contributing to the delinquency of minors. Kids do seem drawn to tablets and do watch the strangest things. I don’t get the thing about watching someone who is good at games play games or watching an older child explain her doll collection. There are interesting individual differences here. One kid finds the videos of video games uninteresting, but watches the replays from the Olympic soccer games. Neither would find much time on my playlist.
It has been interesting for us to evaluate their requests for new apps and new services. It has also been interesting to observe how the different sets of parents impose their own values on when, how, and how much their children use these devices.
We do recognize that children need guidance in how they use technology (or watch television). I do not agree with the best of the worst options logic (iPad or television). Somehow this reminds me of how some see the present presidential race. Technology is such an adaptable tool it can be shaped into so many forms and supporting a variety of experiences is probably a good rule of thumb. Exploring options is generally a good thing for young learners. Consider, for example, the debate concern when young athletes begin to focus on a single sport.
I typically don’t promote Psychology Today as a great scholarly source, but I do think a recent article on “Screenagers” provided a useful analysis of some of the issues associated with how young people make decisions about their use of technology.
