Kids and Digital Age

Since the advent of iPhones and iPads I have been having this nagging in the back of my mind, if this is the right thing for my kids. I have not held them back from technology, unlike a few of my friends who still believe that the best thing for kids is to keep them away from these gadgets and ensure they play outside.

One of my earlier posts was about this very topic. I don't want us to end up being the lost generation that knew how to have some outdoor adventure. But that did not convince me enough to keep my kids away from tech gadgets.  I was influenced by the most popular position that the kids in future will lack social skills because they are constantly texting and tweeting etc.

Before I move further, I wanted to step back and set it up for you. If you have ready my earlier posts, you have known that I do spend a considerable amount of time driving to work. I usually listen to podcasts while I drive and my playlist include "Radiolab" and "99% Invisible".

Very recently "Radiolab" introduced me to another podcast - "Note to Self". This podcast tries to address the question of how technology affect our lives and what we could do to be effective. More specifically, Manoush Zomorodi and her team have done a 3 part series on kids and technology.

I heard the series (binged them - I am learning to keep up with these new age terms) and found it to be very interesting. But did it give me decisive answer of whether technology is a good thing or a bad thing? The answer is no. I am still undecided on what I want to do about this with my kids.

Probably, I am looking for the wrong answer. The whole topic of tech for kids is not like a decision on an ethical or a moral topic where there is always an easy answer - the right thing to do.

The tech for kids is more like a decision on food that kids eat or for that matter, what we eat. Most of us know that chips are not healthy food. But does that stop us? I know for sure it doesn't stop me. Similarly, tech gadgets are difficult to say no to.

The trick then should lie in moderation. So how do we ensure that kids know moderation?

How did we ensure that kids eat their favorite pastry in moderation? By constantly reminding them that it has to be moderated. The only downside to that argument is this. When it comes to food, most kids' body will tell them when they are full with something. My little one loves sweets. However, he caps his intake by himself, of course after taking a couple more than what his siblings take. But he stops by himself. I think it’s because his body telling him to stop.

Does similar thing happen in technology? No. There is no cap imposed by the mind. He wants to get more and more of it. The only thing that seems to stop it is when there is an equally interesting alternative or a better alternative presented for him. Like a trip out to a playground or a trip to a museum or a zoo. All these alternatives make him forget his iPad.

So, who is to be blamed? It's me.

My parents did not have this challenge of presenting interesting alternatives to me. But I/we do. Kids will be kids no matter what the calendar year is. It is up to the parents, how they make life interesting for their kids.

Will I ever make my kid gets disconnected from all modern tech? NO. I want them to be competitive in this new digital age. So I am not going to deprive them of trying their hand on new age tech. But at the same time, I will try and make sure that is not the only option they get to spend their free time with.

This post is not meant to preach anyone. This is more like a reminder to self.  To draw from my favorite podcast of the month, this post is more like a "Note to Self".

Info about the podcasts referred in this post: Radiolab (www.radiolab.org) and Note to Self (www.wnyc.org/shows/notetoself) are podcasts produced by WNYC. 99% Invisible (www.99percentinvisible.org) is an independent production funded by listeners. Check them out.