As an old "fuddy duddy," I am amazed at the role electronics plays in the lives of kids these days. Most kids start getting interested in computers by age 3 and are truly addicted to them by age 6.
Of course, most of that interest centers on computer games. I can't help but wonder if the time spent playing computer games is more valuable than other old time activities like math, history and doing more physical activities and sports. Can they do both in a small time period?
So much is said recently about child obesity and what contributes to this so-called crisis. Some say it is the types of food such as fast foods and sweetened drinks that make our kids balloon up at a very early age. Could sitting at a computer for hours at a time also be a major contributor, not to mention TV?
Most kids seem to be attracted to the games because of the action performed and yes, even violence that hopefully they do not practice at home or on their friends.
In addition to the draw backs, there are also positives from computers and computer games. Computers and games do require skills. In this modern world, life itself can be somewhat boring for our youngsters, and the computer seems to take away some of the boredom. Perhaps the many skills learned from computers and games can be transferred to more important roles in their lives including vocations in the future.
It is said that IQs in our country are increasing, and computer technology surely plays a big role. Speed processing and reasoning are gains from being a computer nut. With parents themselves spending time with their kids playing computer games, the activity probably could bring about a healthier relationship with the whole family.
Cell phones are also an important ingredient in the lives of electronic kids and usually a very essential tool for teens and kids much younger who just have to call their friends right now as they return from school on their bikes. Maybe they were just talking to that same friend minutes ago at school.
Years ago, kids usually listed a dog or cat or even a goldfish as their wants growing up. Now it is a cell phone at a very young age. They usually get their wishes and poor Fido plays second fiddle. Cell phones for kids are also very important items in the case of an emergency and cannot be forgotten. Kids do sometimes feel that receiving their own cell phone is a step up in their own independence and maybe causes them to be looked up to by their friends. They say that many schools are banning the phones so they cannot be used in a most important time of studies.
I don't know if any of the schools in the Mahoning and Trumbull Counties have banned cell phones. If you know please tell me.
There are a bunch of new phones that allow somewhat for parental control including phones with a pay-as-you-go system, and Tic Talk that includes educational games, and Apple also has one out for kids. Did I forget to mention that most cell phones as we all know have many, many gadgets included such as cameras and games and more games and most every thing you could possibly want. Probably in the future they will be able to serve you breakfast as well.
Of course there are touch screens, computers in cars and many other clever gadgets that add to the life of electronic kids.
The life of a kid is much different these days with many pressures closing in all the time. Sometimes they receive mountains of homework to do per evening. It sometimes doesn't seem fair as teachers disagree on the amount of homework and claim that kids need to practice what they learned in school and get parents into the learning process. Perhaps the electronic world can be an escape from the pressures of school and homework.
We could go on and on about electronic kids and how they should spend their precious time, but I like just seeing a kid be a kid with a dog and a ball and a bat, not sitting at a computer or on a cell phone all day and actually enjoying family life.
But what do I know. That's just my opinion. After all, I'm just an old "fuddy duddy!"