A report published in August this year said that the average six year old knows more about technology than a 45 year old adult. This knowledge is attributed to that advent of broadband connections, which provide an always on connection to the Internet. Many devices that children use are connected to the Internet all the time. These children are known as digital natives.
This can provide a dilemma for parents who wish to give their children all the advantages of the modern technology and at the same time are not confident enough to give guidance to their children on proper use of technology. A lead can be taken from the parents who are high-tech users themselves. According to an article in the New York Times on Sep 10th many executives in high tech companies place limitations and conditions on the use of technology for their children, as they are concerned about the potential for damage. The article points to “exposure to harmful content on the Internet”, “cyberbullying” and “addiction to devices” as the main dangers that these tech-savvy parents are screening for. These people have seen the effect of over use of technology on people in their working lives.
The conditions and limitations imposed on their children’s use of technology include, limited time watching videos and playing games that other people have made and unlimited time, creating and developing games , video, photographs. Restricting use of gadgets to 30 minutes per day at the weekend for young children.
Without exception, they would not allow children to use computers in their bedroom, and generally prefer to have the devices and gadgets in the living room. Many parents who work in technology will not allow a child to have a smart phone until they are 14 and then only for making and receiving calls, they would allow an Internet connection on the phone at the age of 17.
A good reason for caution is that the Internet is open and not everyone who uses the Internet has good intentions. Once a young person uses the Internet they are potentially exposed to people who do not have their best intentions at heart.
Every parent will find their own way of parenting , I hope it is helpful to be aware of the direction people, that have a long time exposure to technology in their lives, steer their children.