So, last week a colleague asked me without a trace of irony if I could recommend some age-appropriate apps for her one year old. She did.
It’s got me thinking: when is technology itself age-appropriate?
While outwardly I may be a complete wanker with a wireless tv and stereo set-up where I download movies* onto one of my two laptops** and watch them on my taking-over-the-house sized plasma while setting the TIVO from either my BlackBerry or my iPhone***, deep down inside I am a total Luddite.
Hear me out.
I didn’t mean to get addicted to technology. I can think of a hundred more interesting things I’d rather be doing than watching tv or playing some mindless game on my phone****. For that reason, I don’t believe in television for the under 2s (although I admit that this failed miserably for The Badoo who has been tuned in since birth due to her two siblings). I certainly don’t believe in computers and apps for the juniorburgers – in fact I think school age is about the age that games and google should appear.
Which is what I really do believe, but is not what happened at our place.
In this day and age there’s a fear that if your child isn’t unwired from birth, she’s missing out. It’s almost as if being able to use technology has become a developmental milestone. I was never one for propping the Tsunamis in front of the giggle box and to this day they are not huge tele watchers, but I have failed in all other aspects.
I think I freaked out when Maxi-Taxi was three and thought the only mouse in existence squeaked and terrified his mumma. Within the week he was googling Diego and by the end of the month he was busy searching for the Chipmunks on Youtube. These days all three Tsunamis know how to use the iPhone and each one tends to animals in a Tap Zoo thingy that I honestly don’t have a clue about. Technology for the under tens is LOML’s domain.
There’s something really wrong about that. But I’m not sure what. Is this just a generational reaction that I’m having? I think our grandmother’s felt the same way about television and their mothers probably thought that radio was going to corrupt us all. And they were right, of course…
* Yeah, okay, so LOML does all the techy bits.
** Work and home.
*** Seriously. What am I like? I can’t give up the BlackBerry email and I can’t give up the iPhone apps.
**** But only one thing I’d rather be doing than blogging.
[Image by pyxelated]
Wanderlust says
I think it may be too soon for us to really know. There is no research to show how playing Tap Zoo or Tap Fish or Tap anything for an hour a day impacts our youth (my daughter is addicted, by the way). What parts of the brain are they developing? What is being ignored? For one,they are getting outside less, which concerns me. Like you, I have my ideas about what is best and then there is the reality in my household. Le sigh…
Raine and Sage says
All I know is that watching ‘Dinosaur Fart’ on you tube a gazillion times was a bit like torture therapy for me. You can’t hide from technology, so I think it’s just about keeping to the everything in moderation ideal.
Raine and Sage says
ps – dinosaur fart a gazillion times was not adhering to the moderation ideal. Fail.
Tara @ Our Whirlwind Adventures says
This post really got me thinking [I’m scared].
I have younger siblings, the youngest being 9 on Wednesday and the second youngest is turning 12, and I am often saying “back in my day….” or “when I was your age…”
I would like my children to appreciate technology. Heck I was thrilled to discover texting at 14 years old, but they will always have it there, and won’t see it as a privelege… I don’t know. The world is changing, and kids will probably have talking cars before I am 30.
Christina says
I’m weary of technology and our toddler. He seems to have other notions of course. I think moderation is key, though like you my views on technology for under two’s is to limit it as much as possible.
Until he was one he would only see the tv on of a night time when we watched the news or a show. Until he was two it was still relatively easy to keep him tv free and use tv as a treat to keep him interested and occupied for those vital moments that I needed to mop before an open house or jump in the shower before rushing to the doctors.
But now that he can turn the tv on by himself, it’s a whole new ball game. My smug satisfaction was replaced by horror recently after giving into his tv watching for a few days while he was sick and lolling on the couch snoozing his cold and ear infection away. I thought our routine would return when his health did. Now I am greeted by a tantrum when I don’t turn the tv on for breakfast and am searching for ways each day to distract him and get him to play with me and his toys rather than sit in front of the box.
Thus far, regarding computers, he is only interested in mashing the keyboard in passing as a sound effect. While he has two year old friends who are fluent in the use of i-pads. I’m sure working out the mouse and how to turn on said computer will only be a matter of a little more time.
Eeek!
Brenda @ Mira Narnie says
ooooh this is really interesting! like my issue with the tele, which is now non-exsistant in our house for the better, but then you worry, if i don’t teach my kids about the computer will they be behind at school?? hmmm….i have come to think, everything in moderation. if a child is totally absorbed by iapps, computers and gadgets, where is the other stuff gonna fit in.
Love it when you ask the big questions!
xx
Posie Patchwork says
I figure if they are fit, social, healthy thoughts with loads of outdoors time, technology is fine. My children are all of the above & guess what, they barely watch television as they’d rather be outside. I don’t buy them those awful unsocial hand held gadgets either, they’re not allowed to play music with headphones in either – yes, this includes a high schooler & no, with 4 children in my charge, i want them ready, willing & able to hear me when i call things like “DINNER” down the hallway.
I just don’t care for technology beyond a regular television, laptop & phone which is a . . . phone. So no apps for me, i’d rather be hand sewing if i’m early to school pick up or stuck at sport.
It’s totally Ok to show your children how it all works – so i don’t have to learn. As for a 1 year old, what is wrong with them flicking through a picture book, kind of concerned what kind of parent asks about that & hello, phones & radiation in the hands of a child whose skull hasn’t full formed yet, der!! Tell her to ask a bohemian hippie natural birthing centre nurse what phone apps are suitable for a 1y.o. so she can have the phone slammed into her head, that should give her a clue, NONE!! Fine motor skills anyone?? Love Posie
TammyJ says
LOL Posie!! I agree with you but couldn’t put it in such a witty and amusing way! Umm my kids use technology that they see me using and watch too much TV. I set a bad example with computer but like Posie no smart phone or apps for me. Daddy though ( the IT guy ) is a different story
Cate says
would so love to get all moral high ground on this one…but even I have my munchkin hooked up to my ipod at swimming lessons when I can get away with it!!
xxxCate
I'm So Fancy says
It’s out of our hands, I’m afraid. They see everything. Want everything. I don’t even talk on the phone that much but when someone sent a toy mobile, TC picked it right up, stuck it to her head and had a 15 minute conversation. All you can do is try to balance the tech time with something more low brow. Like spoons and a plastic bowl…
Lucy says
The one and only time I let Charlie play with my iPhone (in hospital, to distract him) he broke it. Enough said.
The kids have a crappy TV/DVD and a crappy lappy. I flick flack between exploiting technology terribly, and chivving them outside.
They are adept, despite my reticence.
Charlie has some handheld electric games things – a legacy from his months in hospital – but the girls are not fussed. Thank goodness.
Felicity says
The thing that I disagree with is how intrusive technology can be and how socially inept it can make some people.
Recently we were at a family gathering and two people were sitting at the lunch table checking their facebook status on their iPhones and interacting with friends 200km away.
I was [to say the least astounded] I hadn’t seen these people for months and had been trying to have a conversation but the flow kept being interrupted by their phones – the worst thing, their 3yo was watching it all and seeing it as normal behaviour….hmm.
x Felicity
Sarah says
I spend a considerable amount of time ferrying the offspring to various activities including swimming and tennis each week. We spend alot of time outdoors. I’m (according to my kids anyway) very backward when it comes to them being allowed to use technology. I’m fine with that. But I figure most parents I know are doing their best. A girlfriend had to spend a great deal of time in hospital recently and her bub became extremely good at playing games on her i-phone. It meant she got some rest and he got to be with his mum for longer. I think as long as it isn’t a permanent crutch then its ok.
PlanningQueen says
I think limited use for the above 2’s is fine. It is like all things – moderation is best! I have found that how much kids are drawn to technology is very much driven my personality. Out of my eldest 4 (the toddler can’t sit still for more than 2.6 seconds) 2 would be constantly plugged into something if I let them and the other 2 are not really drawn to technology at all.
Chelle, Nick and Raya says
It’s a fine line isn’t it. My daughter is very adapt and has her own toy laptop that she likes to “log” on when I am blogging. We have a very long drive after daycare each day since she goes closer to my work and some days being able to pass the iphone into the backseat for bubble pop or the Tinkerbell game is a godsend
Sam-O says
I don’t let my kids play with my phone. My husband goes through enough in a year without adding the cost of Kids breakages.
I don’t have an iPhone because I don’t need the extra functions and don’t like games.
We have 3 TV’s including one in the playroom but the Little Man didn’t switch the playroom one on in 2011 so I disconnected it. He hasn’t noticed. The Munchkin has not interest in TV.
Basically, it hasn’t come up, but I’m against the idea of computer/phone games for kids, I’m old fashioned and prefer them to go outside and play, use their imaginations and muscles. To be honest they don’t object they are active boys. I’m not sure how they will go in the technological world of school. As a former I.T. educator I know some people just are not computer literate or able to get past a certain level of use. I hope I’m not setting them up to flounder in their technically focused world.
Farmers Wifey says
I love technology….except I can’t text..I suck at it.
My kids get alot of outdoor time, but they do have their own DS games and they are a godsend during car rides for after school activities..etc.
Karen Wilson says
I really wanted to raise not idiot box children, but with the amount of TV my hubby watches I didn’t like my chances.
She is now 6 months old and I know which shows she likes best… but it usually only goes on if she’s on the floor and I’m trying to express milk and she’s getting unsettled, or in the evenings for the ‘goodnight hour’ on ABC2. Now that she actually watches the shows and responds to them, I’m trying to make sure she only watches kids shows. She gets excited and looks at the screen when she sees you touch the remote, but I don’t give in. I only turn it on when I’m happy for her to watch it and not the other way around.
As for other technology? I’ve had a computer in house since I was 4 and 3/4. Not sure how much we used it as kids, but I know there were games right from the start even though it was bought for my mum’s work. My littlie is already trying to mash on the keyboard whenever I sit her on my lap here. I guess it’s all about teaching them how much is okay, and when it’s not okay.
I did see one day a mother pushing a pram with a kid playing on an iPad. That is not going to happen to my kid. And I don’t have a smart phone yet so she wont get that from me (but Dad does so I guess we’ll see what happens).
A friend of mine has grandchildren who aren’t allowed to watch much TV at all. I’d love to find out how they get on at school etc when all the kids talk about a TV show and they don’t get to see it.
That’s probably my main concern with restricting technology…how the kids will fit in. If my kids are anything like me, they’ll be outcasts already and maybe I’ll make it worse.
But come to think of it, maybe I was an outcast because I’d had computers so long in my life hahahahahaha
Jodie at Mummy Mayhem says
The 7yo gravitates to the computer. He LOVES it. But he mostly plays educational games on there, and loves Mathletics…so that’s a good thing!
When the 9yo uses it, he’s writing stories, so I don’t complain about that either.
The 4yo uses the computer occasionally…Wiggles games that sort of thing.
We have Nintendo DS’ and my big boys got an iTouch for their birthdays this year (but we made them pay half). They are only allowed to use them on weekends, and for limited periods of time. Mostly when we’re trying to grab a few extra z’s in the morning. 😉
I think it’s all ok in moderation. Even tv – so long as they’re not watching gyrating women on Video Hits. The boys love documentaries just as much as Dani’s House or Mister Maker (the 4yo’s fave).
😉 x
anushka says
oh my gosh! i love this post you wrote and could’ve written it myself. i too believe that technology should wait until the kids are school age and that t.v. should be limited. i don’t like it when my son watches hours on end of t.v., but it does happen some days. my husband and i have recently come to the same conclusion that you have. it has to be generational. once upon a time the radio and t.v. were the evil influences. i do think we need to have some limitations for our children on how they use the t.v. and computer but i think it is the age we are living in and okay for them to be exposed to quality children’s programming and that using computers and playing video games can be something that will help them with their future to be on top of their game of. it’s so funny because i just introduced my 4 year old to the world of computer games for children on the internet whilst he was ill in the beginning of the year and when i said something about maybe needing a mouse he too gave a little look of surprise – are we really talking about a mouse? lol… now i’m going to go read all the comments.
Chantelle {fat mum slim} says
I think everything in moderation, just like most things in life.
When I was nannying I was very strict. The kids could watch a show if they asked – and it was appropriate – but no mindless TV watching. And games had a time and a place.
Lacey has an iTouch which she uses for trips, and sometimes when she’s hard to get to sleep she’ll play for 10 minutes and fall fast asleep.
Everything in moderation for our family. x
Absolute Novice says
I really love this post! I don’t have any kids myself but I know my own experiences growing up. No TV in the morning, and only a little bit at night. Mostly after it was dark. If it was still light outside we were encouraged to go outside and play (not that I needed much encouragement). I remember when our house was being renovated that the tv aerial got broken and we had no tv for months! I don’t really remember spitting chips over this either.
I guess TV is something I can go without, but because it’s there I watch it.
In relation to kidlets and technology in general I’m studying to be a primary school teacher and there is a massive emphasis on developing out abilities to use ICT resources and Smartboards. This worries me a little because it feels as though by pushing these technologies we’re constantly ‘entertaining’ kids in order to teach. Will these kids be able to sit quietly in a comfy chair and read a book? And will they still want to lay on the grass and make shapes out of clouds? Or will the need for constant stimulation make them incapable of these things??
Wow! You’ve made me think today and it’s only 7:30! Great post, and I loved reading the discussion that it generated!
Simoney says
I think I’m with you on the theory of technology ages… under twos no tv – or hardly any. The only cellphone I’ll allow near my 2yr old is the old nokia brick he can drop to his heart’s content.
The kids pick up computers so fast. School age is fine for that.
Both my older two (schoolage) kids have blogs. I figure it helps their writing… as well as practising techology skills. Tricks them into thinking they are having fun when really they are practcing typing and spelling and sentence building.
No violent games. NONE.
No violent or scary tv programmes. I hate Ben10. Ick. And Disney channel has hit the curb. My 6 year old needs no encouragement to adopt teenage attitudes. iCarly is cute, real cute, but waaaay too much attitude for my precocious daughter.
My kids know what kind of TV they’re allowed to watch.
My son is a dab hand at playstation Fifa and Lego Star Wars. That’s about as violent as it gets.
And meanwhile they love to play… WordsRock. And Volcanic Panic. Games with brain building maths and english quizzes built in.
So yeah.
I am all for technology. At the appropriate age.
But apps for a one year old?
Really???
♥
David says
It’s such a difficult one. Our boy is tired and cranky in the evenings so I let him watch TV so I can make dinner, but I’m noticing TV creep (Mummy is starting to turn the TV on earlier and earlier because 2yo are tough to deal with!).
As for phones and computers, I let my 2yo type on an old laptop that’s turned off, so it’s really just imaginative pretend play, isn’t it? I’m sure he’ll work out how to get on my laptop and Skype his grandparents before he’s 3 though!
The only time I let him play with my smart phone is when we are out at a cafe (rarely) and the walking around, toys and usual tricks aren’t working. I want to keep it as a treat for as long as possible.
We’ll see how long that lasts! It’s hard to promote balance when Mummy is addicted to the computer!
Quill and Ink Handmade says
I think I’ve failed with the TV – my two love it, and it lets me have a shower in peace, or make the dinner, so I have a soft spot for it too.
Oh dear – that sounds just awful! But it’s the truth – I’d never get as much done without the TV as a distraction.
Great post Maxabella – and love the discussion it’s generated 🙂
x
Heather says
I have very strong opinions when it comes to children and technology. I think that when people say that if your children are not exposed to technology when they are young they will be left behind is complete nonsense. My kids have limited technology in their lives basically because I think children should play outside, climb trees and use their imaginations. I am holding off on the tech. front as long as possible. My 2 watch TV but not alot. Ella is on the computer occassionally and for me that is enough. While I can restrict it I will. I feel saddened by the number of kids who don’t run barefoot on the grass but instead spend hours glued to the computer screen. Ella is in year 1 and this is already happening with classmates. There we go…had my rant!! x
Miss Pink says
I always get groans and gasps of horror that my TV is mostly off. It doesn’t come on until 6pm. My kids, they do not NEED television. Yes it’s great for those days you need the distraction, but children should be playing and learning and interacting with people around them, not sitting in front of the “idiot box”.
Sames goes for mostly everything else.
Afterall how many parents do you hear complaining about wanting to enjoy a bit of peace and quiet?
Well parents, turn off the television, and the video games and the computers, and enjoy the quiet. It’s only noisy because you choose to make it noisy.
My kids? They don’t care for TV much, or video games or computers or anything.
But i have a 2 year old (completely inappropriate if you ask me, under 2’s should be kept away from that stuff as much as possible) and an almost 5 year old.
Last year i introduced Bluey to the laptop, and he actually does his homework on it nightly, so i do understand the uses of technology, and i do understand that our children need to learn how to navigate it also. My dilemma is what would they do if all the technology suddenly died (25K style?). Our children need to go back tothe basics that we were taught. Yes they should be taught about computers also, but they need to know how to do this stuff for themselves without technology too.
I feel so so strongly about that.
Video games? Gosh, there is just NO NEED for them. I am not a fan of them at all. They are fun, yes, but parents are often using it as a babysitter, again, i get that, i’m a mother, a full time SAHM, i know what it’s like to need a break, but it’s sad when it is used so constantly and with most of the games being so violent it is exposing our kids to unnessisary violence, and desensitising them. Desensitising them means that when awful things happen, at their hands or someone elses, they won’t feel the horror of what has truely happened. I don’t like that at all.
I have to stand with Heather and say kids should be outside, climb tree’s, and use their imaginations. Don’t people realise techonolgy hinders all of that?
So video games, and all that for kids? A no here. TV? Limited amounts. Computers? Yes, but not until they are a preschooler (so 4+) and keep that limited too.
Some parents may not realise but technology is what is helping the obesity epidemic. Children cooped up inside and not being active because parents allow them to sit infront of the idiot box. Parents don’t encourage them to find a love of books, to be outdoors in the fresh air, and using their imaginations. It’s not teachers fault, it’s not societies fault, it is our own fault because WE are the parents, WE are in charge of how our children are brought up and what they’re allow and not allowed to do.
Mama of 2 boys says
Hmmm, so far it’s early days for our boys. Although Angus (3) has never watched television. Now, he will glance at it, if there is something involving water or animals, but other than that, couldn’t care less. As for computer games/phones etc… no, I haven’t introduced him to those. Mainly for the fact that I don’t really understand alot of it, so can’t be bothered going there right now. He likes to talk to people using my mobile, but that’s about it. I really hope the lack of exposure doesn’t disadvantage him once he’s at school :o/
Alice Becomes says
i don’t think there is anything wrong with them knowing and using the technology available to them…
But it is when they spend hours and hours and hours playing video games, watching tv, fiddling with phones (obviously a Luddite myself….”fiddling with phones” – i dont even know the jargon!) when they could be swinging from trees and talking to people…That’s what worries me about it…
Gill xo
Kymmie says
Oh, this is a goodie! My boys have big sisters. That means they know that iPhones have games on them. And that sucks for me. Because a million times a day I’m asked if games can be played on my phone. Hubby has an iPhone – with no games on it. Wise, I’d say. But I can’t give up “Words” or “Cut the Rope” let alone my more ‘sensible’ apps. My one year old even knows how to tap and enlarge pictures. We are not going to know how this plays out until they’re grown up Gen Zers (or whatever they will be). And then the research can go nuts!!
xx
Zoey @ Good Goog says
I would have loved to have had no screen time at all when Riley was under 2 and have it be extremely limited until she was around 5, but I’ve failed miserably with the first and am well on my way with the second. Although now I happily restrict her to 1 hour of TV a day, I haven’t really set any limits on playing with iphone games.
I think if I was going to, I would actually have to set limits on myself. I mean if I don’t want her to eat chocolate, I’m not going to eat it in front of her and not share.
I am more comfortable with games than with TV because it’s more interactive but it’s impossible to say what kind of long-term impact this sort of technology will have.