Gadget parenting is a new parenting culture that started around the same time smartphones began taking over the world.
With the rise of household names like Apple and Samsung, we have arrived at the golden age of electronic devices.
The 21st century wonders that once left us awestruck are now a part of mundane, everyday life. But with the good comes the bad.
When it comes to the upbringing of the younger generation, gadgets are both a necessity and a problem.
Depending on how they are used. In this article, we will talk about the pros and cons of gadget parenting.
In addition, we will also be going through some of the best ways to incorporate devices into your child’s life.
Pros and Cons of Gadget Parenting
Electronic devices specifically catered to assist parenthood are all over the market.
Baby monitors, internet filters, phone trackers, device timers, bottle warmers, cradle rockers.
You name it. Things like Roombas also fall under parental aids since it cuts housekeeping chores by half.
These are some of the more acceptable ways of gadget parenting. They pose the least harm to your kids because they don’t actually directly interact with them.
The grey area of this practice comes through the use of computers and mobile devices like smartphones and tablets.
While they may offer a wealth of benefits for both parent and child, they still come with a heavy cost.
Pros of Gadget Parenting
Mobile phones can be very beneficial for children given they are used appropriately.
Exposing your child so early on to digital devices will help them develop digital literacy.
They will grow up knowing the ins and outs of the World Wide Web much better than you ever could. This paves their way for successful careers, particularly those in tech-dependent industries.
Another pro is that they will learn how to gather and curate information.
In a world saturated with data, categorising information is much more important than just collecting it.
Other advantages of digitally inclined children include better language and problem-solving skills, and better hand-eye coordination.
Moreover, it is especially convenient for parents during those times when you just don’t have the time to entertain your child.
Cons of Gadget Parenting
One of the most common reasons why parents let their young kids use mobile devices is to distract them.
iPads are the new pacifier in this digital age, where children can watch video after video on YouTube.
For the tired parent, this can seem like a small vacation. However, for the child, it can be dangerous for their physical and mental health.
The dangers of technology overuse for children typically fall into physical and psychological.
Physical problems include sleep impairment, obesity, and eye strain.
Psychologically problems include social and behavioural issues, violence, impaired cognitive development and learning disabilities.
Moreover, people who let gadgets replace them in the parent-child relationship may detrimentally affect their kids’ social health.
Gadget parenting: Best Practices
Manage their Screen Time
Monitoring your child’s screen time is the first rule of gadget parenting.
They should not spend more than a couple of hours a day on their devices, especially if they’re younger.
Those hours shouldn’t be consecutive either, but split between 15 and 20 minute intervals.
Your child should get plenty of rest between screen times to allow their eyesight to recover.
You can also teach them to self-regulate their device use. The reason you need to limit their exposure to mobile devices in order to prevent things like eye problems.
Another reason is to stop them from developing co-dependency on devices for comfort and entertainment.
This can be a little hard if your child has to participate in online lessons.
Pick and Choose Wisely
If you want to add gadgets to your parenting repertoire, you need to know the basics.
Your kids can still watch cartoons, but choose the right ones. Not all children’s programs are good for their brain development.
Some may even be responsible for violent and absurd behaviour in children.
So only let them watch educational programmes like Sesame Street or Octonauts.
Maintain Balance
Make sure to balance their virtual experience with physical activities. It’s important that your child not lose touch with human contact or reality.
Talk to them, play with them, etc. Make sure you spend some quality family time with them as well.
Do something non-virtual during the times when they’not using devices.
Better yet, designate off days when they are completely forbidden from touching smartphones or tablets.
If you have trouble coming up with fun activities to do during their off days, here are some suggestions.
Don’t Expose Them too Early
There are certain ages where children are simply too young to be exposed to electronic gadgets.
Here is a general guideline on how old your kids should be before letting them enjoy screen time.
Essentially, your child should be OK for screen time at around 18 months, but only in a limited capacity.
Around this age, they should only be watching educational programs, but only in the presence of a caregiver.
Older children ages 2 to 5 can enjoy longer screen times with non-educational programs for 1 hour a day on weekdays. They can go up to 3 hours on the weekends.
Don’t Leave Them Unattended
This is especially important if your devices are connected to the internet.
Ads and stalkers are rife in the virtual world, and can even penetrate your defences if given the chance.
So always keep a weather eye on their online activities, even if they’re just watching YouTube.
Those kinds of platforms have a way of leading you down a rabbit hole.
This is not good, especially if it distracts your child from their properly curated, regularly scheduled educational programs.
Gadget-Parent, Responsibly
Gadgets are a double-edged sword when it comes to parenting. There is a time and place for them in your child’s life.
More and more children are being exposed to mobile devices much earlier than they would have otherwise.
Your role as a parent is now all the more crucial as you learn to navigate the virtual world with your young one.
They have their inherent dangers and caveats. That said, your child is also born into a generation with a world of possibilities ahead of them.
So do not waste this opportunity to use gadgets to your advantage.
You may end up raising a brainiac who may one day pave the way for the next stage in digital evolution.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as medical advice from Motherhood. For any health-related concerns, it is advisable to consult with a qualified healthcare professional or medical practitioner.
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