Parents often find themselves attempting to pry their children away from the technology they love (from television programs to video games to Facebook to iPhone apps). Indeed, kids today seem to be spending more and more time plugged in to any form of media or social networking they can get their hands on. 
And with concerns about the effects on children (from violence in media and video games, a lack of exercise, and a noticeable reduction in attention span), parents would be perfectly justified in removing all technological gadgets from their home. Trying to police your child’s media consumption and stay on top of their technology can definitely pose a problem. However, there are also benefits to allowing your kids to sample technology early in their lives, so long as you keep it in check.
Whether you like it or not, your kids are growing up in an era where technology is rapidly expanding (in some cases, almost faster than we can keep up). And the sooner your children have access, the more tech-savvy they will be as they age. This can help them in several arenas, including social interaction and communication, creativity, self-expression, confidence, independence, and self-reliance. They will also become comfortable sifting through mountains of information that many of us (not raised on the internet) find completely overwhelming. Not to mention, technological knowledge and understanding is practically a requirement for most professions these days, a trend that will only grow in the future.
Plus, technology can be an excellent educational tool. It can offer your children unfettered access to information as well as allowing them to learn at an accelerated pace. And kids who engage in communicate through the extended use of technology tend to excel in other forms of interaction, both written and verbal (when they take an interest in the learning process, they tend to comprehend, absorb, and retain more knowledge, such as vocabulary, grammar, and other literary skills). It can also engage their minds on a completely different level than, say, reading and writing or artistic expression. And giving your child multiple tools to enhance their learning palette is a great way to ensure the best possible education.
That said, you may want to monitor their activities and limit them to certain devices. Texting all day probably won’t improve their vocabulary (OMG, BRB, and LOL are hardly staples of the English language) and although there have not been extensive or conclusive tests to date, you can certainly imagine that it might lead to the usual side effects like eye-strain and carpal tunnel syndrome. As for social networking sites, they can be an excellent way for your child to interact with friends outside of school and learn the delicate art of self-expression. You may just want to keep an eye on their posts and their friend lists if they’re fairly young. And there are a ton of educational tools, apps, and websites available both online and through iTunes, so don’t overlook their usefulness in your strategy to keep your child engaged in learning. Overall, technology can work to your advantage (and your child’s) as long as you choose wisely and keep a weathered eye on usage.
[Danielle Weston writes about women's pregnancy and health for Nurture Center where you can find a Dutailier glider and other accessories for your baby.]
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