Technology vs Parents
Parenting can not be replaced by technology if parents give time for their kids.
Technology is teaching children wonderful things, but is it replacing the role of the parents?
The blogger Carolyn Brinkmann noted that TV, computers and electronic devices can not let parents to lose their role of educators and responsibles of children’s development.
“Using the television or videos to occupy a child while you prepare dinner or drive may seem like it is necessary… but is it? Could those moments be filled with conversations with your child, or finding a way for them to be involved in what is going on?” mentioned in her post “Is technology replacing parenting?”
The blogger Janel Britensteing, who wrote articles about parenting, stated that it is important to be aware from media isolation, because if children get connected for a long time, they will lose human interaction, and maybe, that interaction kids need with parents.
Recently, an article from the Express.uk called “School computer ‘replaces’ parents to help with children’s development” indicated that Thrive, a computer program invented by the british psychotherapist Jan Banks, has been applied in different schools of England, helping children who have behaviour and emotional problems in order to compensate the poor parenting they had.
“Without having direct eye contact with her or his carer, a child is unable to form friendships, concentrate or socialise,” said Diana Dewing, managing director of Thrive for the Express.uk.
One of the recommendations the blogger Ross Laird gives to parents to don’t let technology teach everything to kids it’s giving them the opportunity to have contact with the nature and develop conversations with them. Also playing games with kids can improve the parenting role.
” Don’t take the easy way out, and allow kids (and parents, too) to be lulled into the interpersonal silence encouraged by technologies such as DVD players. Learning to be together, learning to deal with boredom, learning to explore interpersonal communication in novel ways: these are foundational to human development and should not be replaced by technological distractions, ” wrote in his article “Parenting, addictions, and technology”.
Quick recommendations to don’t lose your parent role:
- Technology can be useful as it is a tool to teach and entertain, but it will never make your children be wise. So try to always give time for your kids, because they need your guide, and they are your responsability.
- Give them love. Electronic devices will never give a warm human hug to your kids. Computers are full of data, but not of feelings.
- Share with them. The best way to teach your kids something is playing with them and going for a family trip. Just going to the park can be useful.
- Teach them how to develop their criteria. With “too much” information which they can find on the internet it is necessary to make them know what of all the things that internet has is trash or gold.
Related articles
- Parenting in the age of iPads (vicnews.com)
- “Parenthood” is the Beautiful stage in the life (bjakerion01.wordpress.com)
Pingback: Top 6 sites you have to check! | @Technology Talk