Mini-course "Children and Gadgets"

Many parents mistakenly believe that they still live in the same civilization they were born into. But that is not the case. For us adults to have a valid reason to forbid gadgets to children, we would at the very least need to give up our own gadgets – and many wouldn’t agree to that.

We’d also need to give up washing machines, electricity, all forms of transport, and return to the Stone Age.

We are certainly not ready for that, so we shouldn’t hinder our children from keeping up with the times.

This could have been the end of our mini-course, if it weren’t for the fact that parents often make serious and very dangerous mistakes when it comes to their children’s interactions with gadgets!??The country may still be called the same: Ukraine, USA, UK, Kazakhstan… but the civilization has changed – it is now digital! Whether we like it or not, we live in the digital age, where gadgets have become an integral part of our lives. Technological progress advances according to the well-known Moore’s Law.

MOORE’S LAW is an observation in computer technology, which states that the number of transistors (the basic building blocks of computer chips) in computer processors doubles approximately every two years. This means that over time, computers become more powerful, faster, and cheaper.

Every day, new devices and apps appear in our lives. They make life more efficient, but at the same time, they keep us hooked. We constantly check how many likes and comments our posts receive on Instagram or Facebook. We are glued to screens, binge-watching the latest season of a popular show or scrolling through videos on YouTube, and before we know it, 3-4 hours have passed. We dive into the magical world of online shopping and don’t realize how much more money and time we’re spending than we intended.

Just for reference: A gadget is a small device designed to make life easier and more advanced.

There is no point in fighting against something that makes life easier; we need to learn how to interact with it properly and highly effectively!

It’s no secret that today’s children are hooked on gadgets. This is something we need to understand, and it’s foolish to argue against it. Sometimes it seems like our kids were born with gadgets in their hands.

Arguing with gadgets and banning them for children is a losing strategy. Gadgets will defeat us, the parents.

On the one hand, modern technology provides children with numerous educational and developmental opportunities. On the other hand, there are concerns about excessive gadget use and its impact on children’s health and development.

It’s important to find a balance between using gadgets as educational and entertainment tools and the time a child spends in the real world, interacting with other children and their environment.

It’s also crucial to teach children online safety rules, digital literacy, and how to protect their personal data. Ultimately, gadgets can be powerful tools for learning and development, but they must be used wisely and with a sense of responsibility towards children.

For us adults to have a valid reason to forbid gadgets to children, we would at the very least need to give up our own gadgets – and many wouldn’t agree.

We’d also need to give up washing machines, electricity, all forms of transport, and return to the Stone Age.

We are certainly not ready for that, so we shouldn’t hinder our children from keeping up with the times.

This could have been the end of our training, if it weren’t for the fact that parents often make serious and very dangerous mistakes when it comes to their children’s interactions with gadgets!

The gap between the generation of parents and children has always existed. However, now there is an almost officially recognized boundary.

We are the generation of digital immigrants, who came into the digital world from pre-computer times.

They are the generation of digital natives, born with a smartphone in hand.

The digital civilization brings with it cyber-innovations, where humans and machines are becoming inseparably connected.

Cyborgization is no longer a mystery or something unusual; it is becoming a natural part of our evolution thanks to technological breakthroughs that allow for the creation of bionic prosthetics and the enhancement of human capabilities.

The idea of extending human abilities through advanced prosthetics and implants has already led to the creation of unique devices driven by impulses, enabling many people to significantly improve their quality of life.??

The essence is, as digital immigrants, no one asked us if we wanted to live in this world; we are already here and simply accepting the conditions. On the other hand,

our children, the digital natives, know how to live in this world more effectively because they were born with these technologies and are accustomed to them.

IMPORTANT: Stop arguing about gadgets and learn how to live with them effectively! And don’t lose our children’s minds in the vast expanses of the Internet.

The brain prefers to use familiar methods and patterns to conserve energy.

It is crucial for parents to influence how their children's thinking develops by either limiting or expanding their experiences and knowledge in various fields.

It's important to understand how a child's brain develops to create the right learning environment for a successful life in the digital world.

In various countries, education and its value are being perceived differently. Employers now evaluate not only education but also practical experience and additional skills, making the job market more competitive.

Today’s reality requires job seekers to not only have formal qualifications but also demonstrate real skills and abilities.

So, before you scold your child for spending time on gadgets instead of studying, make sure that their learning is engaging and provides them with truly important life skills, rather than just memorizing or copying information.

We are made up of what we consume, both literally and figuratively.

It is essential for parents to ensure that their children have a diverse mental diet from an early age:

reading books, engaging in music and painting, participating in clubs, sports, educational games, and gadgets – this is just a small list of activities that deserve proper attention from the beginning of childhood.

We are approaching the most interesting part

why do our children love gadgets so much and want to spend so much time with them?

Parents often don't understand why children prefer spending so much time on gadgets rather than with them.

However, gadgets for children are not just devices; they represent a kind of life where they find numerous interesting opportunities.

Parents are often directive with their children. They are constantly dissatisfied and make many demands, which does not encourage children to listen willingly.

Gadgets provide children with a high level of freedom, which is enjoyable for everyone. Naturally, in pursuit of their sense of importance and freedom, children are inclined to choose their gadgets repeatedly.

Nevertheless, it is important to remember that gadgets do not replace our everyday lives but merely expand its possibilities.

Parents should help children distinguish between useful and harmful content and teach them to use gadgets wisely to avoid missing out on important educational and developmental moments.

Becoming a true authority for children is increasingly challenging for parents. However, the key remains in maintaining good relationships.

If a child has lost interest in studies or is struggling with acquiring new knowledge at school, and parents are unable to engage the child in the learning process — it is essential to find teachers who can inspire and captivate children, teach them critical thinking, and help them understand that long-term efforts and knowledge are important for their future.

It’s no secret that modern children are engrossed in games and videos on gadgets.

Parents are understandably concerned about this. The simplest solution might seem to be limiting or banning gadgets, but…

However, a constant ban on their use can lead to complete isolation from the modern world, which is quite different from the one we grew up in.

For instance, blogging or eSports are becoming professions, presenting new paths of self-realization.

Parents should believe in their children’s potential and interests, even if what they’re engaged in seems unusual or new: skills like content creation, video editing, and more…

We often overlook that these can be valuable experiences for our child's future career.

These activities also foster qualities such as work ethic, goal setting, and self-improvement.

It’s important to remember that gadgets are not always the problem themselves, but rather a symptom indicating that a child may lack other stable interests in life. Therefore, these interests need to be developed.

It’s time to assess whether there is a dependency on gadgets in your children or even yourself.

This will be the topic of the next lesson.

If the answer is "YES," mark it as 1; if the answer is "NO," mark it as 0

1. I can’t go even one day without a computer, smartphone, or other tech devices.

2. When I’m not using a gadget, I start to feel anxious.

3. I can’t limit my usage time; I always spend more time on my smartphone than planned.

4. I lie to myself/my partner about how much time I spend on gadgets.

5. I dream of being alone with my smartphone and constantly want to use it.

6. I postpone important tasks to engage in something on my gadget.

7. When I spend time on the computer or smartphone, I feel good, experience a sense of euphoria, and often make in-game purchases.

8. I am registered on various social networks and frequently get caught up in them.

9. Sometimes, after using tech devices, I get headaches, experience eye strain, or have disturbed sleep (answer "yes" if you have any of these symptoms).

10. I prefer playing computer or smartphone games over meeting friends or going for a walk.

RESULTS:

1-4 — No cause for concern;

5-6 — Tendency towards dependency;

7-10 — Gadget dependency observed.

Answer honestly, at least to yourself! And then think: are you ready to give up gadgets in the same way you make your children do?

From birth to around 6-8 years old, a child's brain develops very rapidly. It isn’t ready for the quick frame changes that occur when watching cartoons or movies (TV - 24 fps; YouTube - 30-60 fps, or even more).

Systematic exposure to the inhibitory substances released by rapid frame changes is harmful to a child's rapidly developing brain. However, this doesn’t mean that children should be completely deprived of gadgets!

What constitutes the “ideal form” and how to approach it will be covered in the next lesson.

So, how much screen time is appropriate and at what age can children use gadgets?

Below is a checklist with recommendations for limiting screen time for different age groups:

1.  Ages from birth to 2 years

– Screen time on TVs and gadgets is undesirable (even if it’s educational cartoons/programmes).

2.  Ages 2 to 3 years

– Up to 40 minutes per day. This time can be divided into two parts (morning and evening) and used for viewing, learning, and playing (playing does not release inhibitory substances as the child actively engages with the screen content).

3.  Ages 3 to 5 years

– Up to 1-1.5 hours per day. In addition to cartoons and games, show the child how to search for answers and other interesting information on gadgets.

4. Ages 5 to 8 years

– Up to 2 hours per day. This time can be used for games, movies, and cartoons (it can be split depending on what the child is watching).

5. Ages 8 to 12 years

– Up to 2-4 hours per day (by this age, the child's brain is nearly fully developed). Reading books, playing board games, engaging in sports, and creative activities will leave the child with less time for gadgets.

6. Ages 12 and older

– Screen time can be unrestricted, provided the child has a range of other interests that naturally divert their attention from gadgets.

Restrictions should only be applied when a child is unable to manage their time effectively and it begins to affect their education and other activities. In such cases, introduce limits on internet usage and gradually decrease it as the child grows.

The ideal role play form according to Lev Vygotsky is of immense importance for children.

In childhood, children begin to learn the roles they will need to play in society.

For example,

they may learn the role of a student at school, a friend in interactions with other children, a son or daughter in the family, a teacher, a doctor, a businessperson, and so on.

When children successfully master these roles, it helps them adapt to society, understand their duties and rights, and interact with others. As a result, children become more confident, capable, and empathetic.

Understanding and accepting their roles in society helps children develop social skills, self-esteem, and a sense of themselves as members of society.

Thus,the ideal role play form according to Vygotsky is crucial for both personality formation and the socialisation of children.

However, in today’s rapidly changing world, the ideal form struggles to emerge, and computer games, reflecting real-life changes, have become almost the only source of new knowledge and skills for our children, as the school curriculum, upon which parents rely, lags behind by about 200 years.

Digital technologies are not a panacea and should not replace other important aspects of life.

A balance between the digital and real worlds, as well as between different types of activities, helps children develop harmoniously and find satisfaction in various areas of life.

Follow the steps below to achieve the most effective results:

1. Collaboration and Discussion:

It is important to involve children in creating a to-do list. Discuss with them which essential tasks need to be included (e.g., school assignments, self-care, household chores) and which enjoyable activities they would like to add (e.g., games, drawing, reading books).

2. Age Considerations:

Consider the child's age when creating the to-do list. For younger children, use visual images or pictures to help them understand what needs to be done. For older children, text descriptions can be used.

3. Essential and Enjoyable Tasks:

Divide the list into essential tasks that must be completed (e.g., tidying up toys, homework, brushing teeth) and enjoyable tasks that the child can choose from (e.g., drawing, games, watching cartoons).

4. Structure and Organisation:

Create a structure for the to-do list using cards or a special sheet divided into sections (e.g., morning, afternoon, evening). For younger children, use pictures or illustrations; for older children, use text descriptions.

5. Use of Velcro or Magnets:

Use Velcro or magnets to attach tasks to the list. This allows children to easily move tasks around depending on completion and changing priorities.

6. Rewards and Motivation:

Create a reward and motivation system for completing tasks. For example, establish a reward for completing all essential tasks within a week or for completing a certain number of enjoyable tasks.

7. Involvement in the Process:

It is important not only to create the to-do list but also to involve the child in the process of completing it. Help them organise their time, support them, and encourage them when they achieve their goals.

Modern children play complex and engaging games that require not only mechanical actions but also exceptional cognitive skills.

As parents, we fear that they are simply wasting their time on games and would be better off doing something more productive. But we should ask ourselves what we actually know about the skills that computer games develop in our children. We search for a black cat in a dark room every day, hoping that school will provide our children with the education they need and develop their thinking, but that is not the case. Computer games are genuine allies for our children, and this is something we need to recognise.

Computer games can develop a variety of skills in players, including:

1. Reaction and Coordination:

Many games require quick reactions to changing situations and precise movements to control characters or objects in the game.

2. Strategic Thinking:

Some games, especially strategy and sandbox games, require players to develop effective strategies, plan, and make decisions.

3. Problem-Solving:

Many challenges in games can be solved in different ways, so players need to use their creativity and analytical skills to find optimal solutions.

4. Collaboration and Communication:

In multiplayer games, players often have to cooperate with others, develop strategies, and exchange information. This helps develop teamwork and communication skills.

5. Resource Management:

Some games require players to manage resources such as money, energy, materials, etc. This helps develop planning and effective resource management skills.

6. Perseverance and Determination:

Some games can be challenging and require multiple attempts to achieve a goal. Players learn to be persistent and not give up when facing difficulties.

7. Creativity Development:

In some games, players are given freedom for creativity and self-expression, which helps develop their creative abilities.

8. Time Management:

Many games require players to manage their time effectively to complete tasks within set deadlines.

And this is far from an exhaustive list of the skills that games cultivate in our children. Do you still think games are harmful.

Internet Safety Rules for Children:

Children encounter many potential threats online, including adult content, cyberbullying, fraud, and more. Therefore,

it is crucial to teach children internet safety rules so they can protect their personal information and ensure their physical and psychological safety.

Here are just a few internet safety rules that children should be taught:

1. Never share personal information online, such as your name, address, or phone number.

2. Never interact with strangers online and do not agree to meet in real life without parental permission.

3. Do not view or download adult content onto your device.

4. Inform parents if you encounter any unpleasant or suspicious content or behaviour online.

5. Use strong passwords and never share them with others.

6. Be cautious when interacting on social media and avoid posting personal information that could become the target of mockery, blackmail, or other forms of cyberbullying.

7. Do not download or install software or files from unreliable sources.

8. Never make online purchases without parental permission.

9. Be cautious when using public Wi-Fi networks and avoid entering personal information online in public places.

10. Never misuse the internet, such as visiting harmful sites or spreading malicious content online.

These rules can help children stay safe online. However, it is important to provide ongoing education and supervision by parents so that children understand how to apply these rules in practice and so that parents can intervene if something goes wrong.