Children and Technology; is it too much?

I got my first cell phone when I started high school. I find it amazing what small children can do on cell phones now days. I have several young cousin who know how to operate their parents cell phones. I think that children have always been drawn to phones. I know that there are pictures of me as a young child playing with the cord phone. Even though kids are enamored by phones, that does not mean that children should get phones. Cell phones have evolved into small computers. I understand that parents may want their children to have cell phones in order to keep in contact with their kids. But, parents need to remember that phones are now computers, if they wouldn't let their child sit on a computer for the whole day, their child should be on their phone for the whole day either. I think that some children should have cell phones for safety reasons, however, the parents then need to monitor the phone to make sure that that it is being used for it's intended purpose.

I think today's technology harm today's children. I know a friend's daughter, who just turned 4 u, who uses HER iPad to play games rather playing outside in the beautiful weather. She knows to go to youtube and watch her favorite cartoons online. While on the upper side, it is good that she is independent and has a good knowledge, it does take away some interpersonal skills from children. I think parents are responsible to find a balance and instruct/advise their children.

I was given a family cell phone when I was in 7th or 8th grade. Most of my peers did not have their own personal cell phones. However, I do remember all my friends borrowing their parents' cell phones when we went on school feild trips or needed rides after school. I also remember everyone having to use my cell phone because no one had one of their own. I know it was very handy at this time in my life, but it would not have been hard to live life without one. In this day in age, if you do not have a cell phone, or especially a laptop, you cannot keep up with the rest of the world. You will fall behind if you can't get fast information. I know kids that think an ipad is a toy whereas I treat it as a state of the art tool to life. I think kids growing up now will view technology in a more normal light instead of what we view it as, "new." I think this is probably ok because when we were kids our parents were saying the same thing. Our parents had to walk tp school and we take driving for granted, as one example. I think this is a natural thing that happens to each new generation.

I was given a family cell phone when I was in 7th or 8th grade. Most of my peers did not have their own personal cell phones. However, I do remember all my friends borrowing their parents' cell phones when we went on school feild trips or needed rides after school. I also remember everyone having to use my cell phone because no one had one of their own. I know it was very handy at this time in my life, but it would not have been hard to live life without one. In this day in age, if you do not have a cell phone, or especially a laptop, you cannot keep up with the rest of the world. You will fall behind if you can't get fast information. I know kids that think an ipad is a toy whereas I treat it as a state of the art tool to life. I think kids growing up now will view technology in a more normal light instead of what we view it as, "new." I think this is probably ok because when we were kids our parents were saying the same thing. Our parents had to walk tp school and we take driving for granted, as one example. I think this is a natural thing that happens to each new generation.

The world we live in now is definetely a technology driven one. I do not believe that technology will cause a child to grow up different than the norm. i actually feel that not introducing a child to technology may actually hinder it in years to come. Throughout the rest of their lives these kids will have to become very familiar with different types of technology. Starting them at a young age will only help them become familiar with these things at an earlier age and give them a headstart on things they will undoubtedly have to master in years to come.

I think there's two things to consider when determining technologies impact on a child's life/childhood. I don't believe that technology itself is detrimental to the child's development. Exposure to technology and the thinking/skills required to utilize the technology is going to be useful later in life almost indefinitely. Technology is ever expanding so exposure is a necessity. To say that technology aids in depriving children of a "good" childhood, by replacing time spent playing outside or other stereotypical activities done by children is biased. Maybe a "good" childhood (as rated by the aged child) can be defined as one with technology integrated into it. It's a very subjective subject. All in all I believe technology is a good thing, but like most good things deserves some kind of regulation.

I do believe technology is changing people's childhood but whether it's for better or for worse, I'm not sure. Children now are spending more time inside on the computer during beautiful days they could "be kids" and not have a care in the world while playing outside. Although, I do agree that starting to use technology earlier helps you later on in life because it is more easy to adapt to schools using computer programs and things like that when you aren't frustrated trying to figure out how to use the computer. In general, technology is changing everyone's lives but it affects the future a lot more than we realize because soon everything will be technologically oriented, which kids now will understand how to do.

I think both sides make a good point and technology has its benefits and down sides on children. In my opinion I think exposure to technology is beneficial to the children, but at the right age. Iphone apps may not replace books or outdoors activities, but there should be a balance. I have a 1 year old in the house and I would say he doesn't get much exposure to technology in that we don't give him our laptops and Ipods to play with, but he isn't less intelligent than other kids his age. I feel that children are being exposed to technology at too young of a age, but if they are given the right type of exposure there would be a beneficial outcome. Skill building and vocabulary games would help children develop and increase their rate of development. I think that technology is all around us so as parents you can only limit the amount of technology your children receives.

I think that technology is apparent in this changing world. The best way to adapt is to change with it. Introducing technology and giving cell phones to really young children could be wrong, in my opinion. But at the right age, I believe it is a great idea to introduce the children to technology and let them see and learn for themselves how this world is working. The norms seem to be changing everywhere with technology becoming our future and it seems necessary to prepare children the right way.