Children know more about computers than some older
adults. It’s amazing to me how fast a
child can learn to use a computer, video game, iphone and any type of
electronics. Kids love to teach adults
about digital technology. They enjoy showing their "tech-savviness"
and mastery of these tools. Reverse roles: Ask your kids to teach you something
new. Whether it's programming your phone, playing a video game or show you how
interact on the computer. You will be surprised!
New interactive digital media have become an integral part
of children’s lives. Nearly half (48%) of children six and under have used a
computer (31% of 0-3 year-olds and 70% of 4-6 year-olds). Just under a third
(30%) has played video games (14% of 0-3 year-olds and 50% of 4-6 year-olds).
Even the youngest children – those under two – are widely exposed to electronic
media. Forty-three percent of those under two watches TV every day and 26% have
a TV in their bedroom (the American Academy of Pediatrics “urge parents to
avoid television for children under 2 years old”). In any given day, two-thirds
(68%) of children under two will use a screen media, for an average of just
over two hours (2:05).
Despite the proliferation of new technologies and platforms, television continues to dominate children’s media use. Among all children up to age 8, an average of one hour and 40 minutes is spent watching television or DVDs in a typical day, compared to 29 minutes reading or being read to, 29 minutes listening to music, 17 minutes using a computer, 14 minutes using a console or handheld video game player, and 5 minutes using a cell phone, video iPod, iPad, or similar device.
Even among infants and toddlers, screen media use dwarfs
time spent reading. In a typical day, zero- to 1-year-olds spend more than
twice as much time watching television and DVDs (53 minutes) as they do reading
or being read to (23 minutes). And some young children have already begun media
multitasking—23 percent of 5- to 8-year-olds use more than one medium “most” or
“some” of the time.
In a typical day about one in four (27%) 4-6 year-olds uses
a computer, and those who do spend an average of just over an hour at the
keyboard (1:04). More than a third (39%) of 4-6 year-olds use a computer
several times a week or more; 37% in this age group can turn the computer on by
themselves, and 40% can load a CD-ROM.
Can you imagine what it is going to be like for our children
in the next 5 to 10 years? They will
never the true meaning of not having a cell phone or computer that lets you do
about just anything you want it to on command.
Truly remarkable!
Posted by: Debra Hoving
It is scary how young children are being acquainted with the technology that is available today. I really liked your post, and the numbers that you shared shocked me! I can see where they are true though. I was watching a young girl and she just up and grabbed my smart phone out of my hand. Next thing I knew she was looking through my apps and playing games. I was taken away with how she knew how to navigate my phone's settings when it took me almost a year to finally learn most of its features. Kids today relate everything to what they learn from the television, video games, or from the internet. I personally think that kids needs to be raised the 'old fashioned' way with an actual book in their hands, not cell phones, tablets, or any other kind of technology. That can come later in life.
ReplyDelete-Kendall Fagan
Those are startling statistics. I cannot even imagine what this newer generation will be like. I remember that the television and a tape player were the most high tech objects I owned. I spent the majority of my time playing outside making up games with my imagination. Is this ability going to die with those who grew up without so much technology? Statistics also show that such immense exposure to technology at such an early age is changing the minds of young people. We are becoming less patient and less focused. With convenient inventions like the internet, it is getting harder and harder for individuals to read through an entire book or an entire online article. I cannot imagine how many changes we will experience in out youth generations from now.
ReplyDelete-Ashlen McWhorter
I agree the statistics were interesting. The future and the possibilites are going to be insane. in 30 years when these kids grow up, the impact that using tech at a young age in the technology and graphics area will be immense. I bet it will be pretty cool what they create.
ReplyDelete-jimenez