The New Definition of an Ideal ChildhoodBy Alexandra Ross

Image by Gil Garcia

The first generation of digital natives

are consuming technology at an

alarming rate.

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Since the iPad was released in 2010

it took just 2.5 years to sell 100 million copies.

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A study in 2011 reported 52% of 0-8 years olds have access to smartphones,

video iPods, iPads, or similar devices.

Image by Brad Flickinger

These children have a natural

intuition of how to use

these devices, far surpassing their “digital immigrant”

parents’ understanding.

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Touch-screens have enthralled even the youngest toddlers, as there is no connection between mouse

and screen that needs to be understood.

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A child’s “hands are a natural extension of their thoughts.”

–Hanna RosinImage by KetWorks

This generation is growing up digitally literate,a skill that society has deemed extremely valuable.

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Yet the Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology

recommends children under 2 have no screen time,

2-4 have less than an hour, 5-11 have less than 2 hours

in a day.

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The benefits and drawbacks of children using tablets are widely debated.

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There have been no long term studies done on the effects of

tablet use on children.

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“Every new medium has, within a short

time of its introduction,

been condemned as a threat to

young people.” –Hanna Rosin

Image by *Vintage Fairytale*

There are concerns about attention spans, exposure to violence, a sedentary lifestyle, and alack of communication skills, just to name a few.

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We have a romanticized view of a perfect childhood, one spent

constantly outdoors playing.

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However it is outdated, as

most of us did not experience

that type of childhood either.

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Our generation grew up with television, and to

some extent computers.

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Parents are often criticised for pacifying their children with screens.

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In public restaurants, children who are engaged with a screen instead

of in conversation are judged.

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Yet we spent our childhood drawing on place mats in restaurants,

not necessarily engaged.

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Are puzzles any less valuable on a screen?

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There are currently over 90000 “educational” apps available

just for iOS alone.

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Many experts believe this is the only type of app that has any value for children.

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Since when does every experience in our childhood have to be

explicitly educational?

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Snakes and Ladders is not deemed an “educational” board game, yet no one would

question its value in a childhood, or that children will learn from playing it.

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It may be time we update our

view of a perfect childhood.

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Or maybe we should take some advice from the Greeks…

“Everything in moderation.”

Image by David Amsler

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Sources• http://www.nbcnews.com/technology/apple-100-million-ipads-sold-1C6619845• http://

www.commonsensemedia.org/about-us/news/press-releases/common-sense-media-research-documents-media-use-among-infants-toddlers-

• http://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2013/04/the-touch-screen-generation/309250/?single_page=true

• http://www.csep.ca/CMFiles/Guidelines/CanadianSedentaryGuidelinesStatements_E_2012.pdf

• http://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2013/04/the-touch-screen-generation/309250/?single_page=true

• http://148apps.biz/app-store-metrics/• http://www.nytimes.com/2012/11/01/education/technology-is-changing-how-stud

ents-learn-teachers-say.html?_r=1&adxnnl=1&adxnnlx=1368383095-wWofpIx3Ke2/eBeS+XHrpA

• http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/03/31/disruptions-what-does-a-tablet-do-to-the-childs-mind/

• http://proquestcombo.safaribooksonline.com.proxy.queensu.ca/book/programming/mobile/9780080954097/how-mobile-technologies-are-changing-the-way-children-learn/ch01lev1sec2

• Shillady, A., & Parikh, M. (2012). New Tools and Strategies for Teachers and Learners. YC: Young Children, 67(3), 10-12.