Nearly half of all children in America aged eight years and younger spend over two hours a day on screens, says CNN, representing the huge increase in the number of young children who use gadgets. The subject has been hotly debated by educators, parents and government bodies, who are concerned about the effect that gadget use has had on time spent in nature and free play – both of which are key to child development. There is no doubt, however, that this is a digital age; one in which adults are also heavily reliant on electronics. Is there any way in which electronics are helping children, and if so, how can parents strike the right balance between the time their children spend on gadgets and the time they spend engaging in outdoor play and sports?
Parents Feel Technology Helps In Education
A report by the Erikson Institute has found that an overwhelming majority of parents (86% of them) say they are pleased with how their children access and utilize technology in the home. Benefits, they say, include early learning and positive developments. More than half of parents feel that technology can help prepare their kids for school, and they also feel that mastery of technology helps their children achieve greater academic success.
Is Technology Really Taking Over Children’s Lives?
A study by academics at the University of Oxford has found that although children are reliant on technology, they are still able to multi-task and achieve the things they would if their devices did not exist. The study also showed that there are gender differences when it comes to how kids use technology. Boys spend considerably more time playing video games than girls (50 minutes vs nine minutes, respectively). The researchers concluded that far from allowing devices to take over all their free time,
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