Children and technology – what is the right age to start computer education? I recognize that my son is growing up in a technologically dependent age. Though I have concerns about eye strain, and the fear that I won’t be “present” while he is “working” on a computer or tablet, I do want him to have every advantage that his peers have. This week, the members of The Mommy Mindset shared our opinions on this issue.
LaVonne: We bought an iPad for our four year old daughter. We travel 8 months out of the year for work. I also homeschool her. We knew that the iPad would come in handy for not only the mini-van but airplane as well. She has many of her movies on it, and we have even downloaded some PBS cartoons for her. It is also proving to be handy for homeschool. I have found many reasonably priced and free apps that are perfect for preschool learning. I even wrote a post about her favorite ten apps: Long Wait For Isabella
Mary: I think the earlier the better. My two year old has been using my iPod for the last few months and I can’t keep her away from the computer. She watches PBSKids and NickJr. I also let her “play” on KneeBouncers. I wish I started my son sooner, besides being left handed his motor skills are not the best and they start them in preschool using computers. I think he would have been less frusrtaed but he learned it and now that he is in first grade he is able to complete some tasks at home for extra help.
Tonya: My 5 yr old loves to play games on the computer from sites like Nick and Disney. My almost 2 yesr old has learned to pick off the keys on my laptop which he done about 20 minutes ago, so I don’t think I will let him use the computer just yet!
Darcy: Ahh screen time. A hot topic! Some say kids under 2 years shouldn’t be on computers, phones or even watch television. That’s almost impossible in this society.. I think moderation is key. My daughter (17 months) watches some TV, plays some Kinect video games, and knows her way around smart phones and tablets. There are some fun engaging apps she plays with! She also spends plenty of time with real books, toys and outside so I think she’s okay.
Gena: My three year old is an iPad/iPhone whiz. I had to earn to block the app store completely because, while I have a password that he doesn’t know, I was tired of him begging to buy kid games that were in Korean. I don’t know how he finds this stuff. He also watches kid shows and videos on YouTube but so far, he asks if he can watch the videos and doesn’t stray too far. I’m going to have to learn how to make it where he can only watch kid videos!
Emily: I have an iPhone with a few apps that The Boy can play. I find some of the apps to be educational, and teaching him things that I wouldn’t necessarily think to teach an almost three-year old. The apps come in handy when we’re at a restaurant waiting for our meals, or on a longer car ride. At home, he has The LeapFrog LeapPad Tablet. I cannot say enough wonderful things about it! It is a great tool, and we limit the amount of time he can use it each day.
Ghada: My son started using my iPhone just before he was 3. It has been a life saver on long train rides, car rides and most helpful at the grocery store where he used to be prone to meltdowns around that age. It started out as just really fun games and as he gets older it has evolved into counting and spelling games – that are still fun! Lately he really likes to chill out with the iPad and this tends to be more games where he bonds with Dad – some are skill based and I think its great for hand-eye coordination. Like all things, its about moderation. I think as long as the games are age appropriate I don’t have a problem with young kids using tablets. After all, we are raising a generation completely different to our own. A generation who can research just about anything on google.
Lena: I tried to keep my daughter away from all things computer for as long as I could. I didn’t want her to get addicted to useless games and didn’t quite understand how much educational material was out there. She was 3.5 when she started online pre-school. Now she is 3.5 and comfortably operate my iPhone, MacBook, and PC. She looks forward to it and it gives me some free time.
At what age did your child start using a computer or tablet? Do you regret your decision?
Sharon says
My kids absolutely love technology as much as my husband and I do! But we do put limits and give it in doses – def not as much as they want. We love the fact that they have imagination and know how to play. This is def a hot topic lol….. I want my kids to be kids as long as possible while at the same time being ble to thrive in a techie world!
Ann Williams says
I let my girls start looking at rducational games on the computer when they were around 2, but with moderation. Even now at age 5and 8, it is with moderation.
Krista says
Hmmm- well, I’m not a mom (yet) but I was around when my mom raised my younger siblings. And I’d have to say I’d do as my mom did- I’d hold off on computers until my kids were in elementary school. I just feel that it’s so important to let their imaginations develop naturally where they have to create their own stimulation. When I was a kid I would spend hours playing pretend and coming up with things- and this is now one of the most cherished aspects of my childhood. And I was never bored when my took me on long road trips, I just entertained myself (and drove my older sister crazy)! In fact, we didn’t have TV in my home until I was six- but I was still first in my class to understand computers, and am one of the most tech savvy people I know in my circle of friends (who are my age).
If you feel that introducing your kids to technology at an early age then more power to you- mom’s always do what they think is best for their children, and that’s what’s so great about blog posts like this- they highlight different parenting styles which is super informative and food for thought for people like me who haven’t had kids yet! 🙂
Elizabeth Towns says
When I was home with my daughter, as a freelance writer, there were times when she was lying across my lap while I was meeting deadlines. Both of my children have always known technology. I started them on Reader Rabbit programs as soon as they could sit upright. They had mouses made specifically for them for the desktop computer. My daughter was ahead of her pre-k class by leaps and bounds, partially because I was teaching her from the womb, and partially because she was technologically savvy. I thought the educational programming I could introduce her too, plus Nick Jr.’s educational programming was the best thing in the free world!
Samantha says
i’m always kind of horrified when i see tiny kids with technology and video games, even eating out and all- but i am more of a traditionalist with this sort of thing (SUPER limited TV, no video games for small kids, limited battery operated or super stimulating toys, etc) and would prefer kids to be more active and use their imaginations. this never makes me popular to say- but that’s just how i feel about it. to each their own, right? i’m sure tons of stuff i do annoys other people 😛
Maureen Timerman says
It amazes me how young they are and how they take to the electronics. Our 14 year old is now hacking his own computer!! Nothing bad, and our 5 and 6 year old show me how to do things!