Technology?

I know this post may, for some, be controversial but it's a common issue with all kiddos wanting it and parents trying to decide if it's the right thing to do.

Me and hubby were both brought up in the era when having a home computer was a luxury and a mobile phone only happened when you turned 16. Now a days, smart phones are everywhere and every home seems to have a computer of some description. In our home we have a computer (it's rarely used lol) and we each (adult) have a mobile phone, we have games console and a smart tv; we are lucky to have these I know.

The question is, do our kiddos have tech? And is it any good for them?

Yes, ours do. Not phones but R does have an iPad mini and can use the Xbox. This isn't to say he has free reign of those items - he's restricted to half an hour use a day (an hour if he gets gold at school). I do know of some parents who believe tech is not good for kiddos, and I do agree in as far as the time spent on these things.

Tech has helped R learn to read, write and improve his hand eye coordination, allowing him to improve in school and to do things like football. Now he doesn't have access to the web or App Store and his password for in-app purchases is only known by me and hubby (it's long and hidden from him). His app on there are only suitable for his age and ability.

What a bout H? Well he's just as smart as his brother when it comes to tech, he knows how to work a iPad and a smart phone quite easily now and even copies R. I'm not saying this is a good thing, mind you, I sometimes feel like he's growing up too fast but he's learning to write using the same apps as R did and his understanding of the world is much better. Again he's restricted to a maximum of half an hour on ANY tech.

I've mentioned mainly iPads and computers and mobile phones so far, what about tv? Surely that's a tech too right? I suppose it should be classed as a tech, especially considering ours is one of those smart ones that you can add apps too. Generally, I personally, don't consider to as a tech. Yes too much can be bad for kiddos but I believe in Disney Jr as great distraction when housework calls.

So in our own way, we restrict the impact tech has on R and H, but tech is here to stay and is getting more invasive in people's lives, so allowing them some access to it will, I believe, give them help later on in life!