The ability to use modern technology is already mandatory for a person. So the complete abandonment of gadgets is no less harmful to a child than uncontrolled access to a smartphone and tablet. The truth, as always, is in the middle. When used properly, some gadgets can help your child get accustomed to the world of digital technology without causing dangerous addictions.
Smartphones
The most controversial gadget that has disturbed the peace of many thousands of families with a teenager. Is it possible to give a child a smartphone? If so, from what age? Is it necessary to limit the time a child can spend on a smartphone and look if your kid doesn’t test online sports betting opportunities instead of doing homework? Parents’ opinions vary to the complete opposite. It’s impossible to give a single answer to everyone, it all depends on the child, school and family rules, and on the atmosphere in the classroom.
Younger students can buy a simple push-button phone. It’s inexpensive and will allow the child to always be in touch. At any time you can call and find out why he is taking so long to get home from school.
In middle and high school, a smartphone is a status item. Not having a smartphone or a button “phone” can cause ridicule and bullying. Arguments like, “at my age, everyone somehow got along without these things,” and “those who laugh that you don’t have a smartphone are fools,” won’t help.
Find out if most students in your class have a smartphone and if school rules allow them to use them at least during recess. If so, for your child to feel like an equal at school, he or she should have that gadget.
Uncontrolled access to the phone (and even with unlimited Internet access) will not benefit the child. Immediately after the purchase, even before the phone gets into the hands of the child, you should install the parental control application, set it up, and clearly agree with the child on the boundaries and rules of using the gadget. And then it is necessary to constantly observe these boundaries and monitor compliance with the rules. Yes, it adds to parents’ headaches. But if you want to establish a trusting relationship with your child, it is definitely better than a categorical refusal.
And for parents, a smartphone gives the child some advantages. First, the child is always in touch. Secondly, parental control applications allow you to track the child’s location and control the range of his interests.
E-book
A book is one of the most important tools for raising a child. Reading develops imagination, broadens the mind, and increases literacy. Reading good books teaches your child spiritual values and teaches him or her to distinguish between “bad” and “good”. Moreover, there is an impressive list of books in the school curriculum.
Unfortunately, in recent years children’s interest in books has declined catastrophically. On the one hand, the modern world offers them too much more pleasant and more affordable entertainment. On the other hand, children simply have nothing to read. The times when a rich home library was a source of pride for the whole family are a thing of the past.
Therefore, an electronic book can be a real godsend for a teenager who has not yet completely lost interest in reading. a child can read what the literature teacher has given him on his way to practice or in other circles to get everything done.
For parents, this gadget is an advantage. The screens, made with the technology of “electronic ink” – don’t spoil the eyes. For games and meaningless surfing on the Internet, e-book cannot be used. And you can also find digitized textbooks in pdf format, download them to the child’s device and negotiate with the teachers. This will noticeably lighten his portfolio and add respect in the classroom.
Smart Watches
If it’s still too early to buy a phone for your child, but you would like to be able to call them, consider a child’s watch. In terms of functionality, they are close to simple cell phones, and the chances of a child losing or breaking them are much less.
Many models of children’s watches are equipped with a GPS tracker. By installing the appropriate app, you can at any time track the location of your child or look at the map of his movements throughout the day.
An older child won’t wear a child’s watch. For middle and high school students, fitness bracelets and smart watches are more appropriate.
It’s relatively inexpensive, but still an image item, the presence of which can reconcile a child with the absence of a smartphone for a while.
Smartwatches allow you to send a message to your child even during class. Most schools prohibit the use of smartphones in class, but smartwatches usually don’t. And a text message displayed on the watch can be read by the child without attracting anyone’s attention.
Of course, abusing the opportunity to write a message or call a child’s watch during the lesson is not worth it. It distracts the child from studying and can cause a negative reaction of the teacher and classmates.
Tablets
Completely isolating your child from mobile games and Internet content is unlikely to work. Usually controlled access to “forbidden pleasures” gives the best educational effect. However, smartphones have one disadvantage – a small screen. Looking at the small details on it strains your eyes a lot, even for a short time. So if you plan to give your child time to play games and watch videos, it’s better to buy a separate tablet for this.
When purchasing a tablet for your high school student, follow the same rules as for your smartphone. Agree on times and rules for use, and set up and set up parental controls.
And don’t forget that a tablet (as well as a smartphone) can be used not only for entertainment. There are a lot of educational and developmental applications that can significantly help your child’s learning and development. Moreover, in schools with an emphasis on modern technology, it’s allowed to use tablets as textbooks in the classroom.
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