When I first got my iPhone I was amazed at all the apps for children. There are hundreds of thousands of games and educational apps for children as young as three. I thought it seemed illogical to have a cell phone with so many apps for a child too young to have a cell phone. Now, I realize these apps are also on the iPad but again how many children need an iPad? Before I go on I must say that I recognize that the educational apps on the iPhone and iPad can greatly benefit children with learning disabilities. My dyslexic child benefits greatly from the apps on my iPhone. We will purchase an iPad soon and she will use it for school quite a bit. I am not opposed to using available technology to aid and enhance a child’s understanding of the world and education. I, however, do think we need to be careful not to become reliant on technology to do the parenting for us.
As I was searching the internet for fun apps for preschoolers I came across a blog post where a mom said that she did not know how she parented before her iPhone. She went on to explain how keeping her child busy with apps helped her make it through the grocery store, long waits in line, or in the doctor’s office. I also read another mom explain how computers and apps helped her get some quiet time. Another mom admitted to using the TV as a babysitter and said she was just being real as she knows many others do as well. I find this all sad. Since when is parenting about our convenience and our ability to make it though the supermarket checkout?
Growing up, I endured long car rides, waiting rooms, and grocery stores without iPhones or iPads. Sure there were times I was unhappy and even fussed. However, I soon learned that expressing my unhappiness or boredom was fruitless so I started to find ways to keep myself quiet and busy. My parents taught me how to wait in line or sit quietly as we waited in the doctor’s office. I survived.
I raised my kids to sit and wait patiently just like my parents raised me. They are not given the out of having a handheld device, iPhone, or iPad, to occupy them. Allowing a child to be occupied by technology will not teach the child patience, control, and how to engage his own mind. We cannot forget that we are raising future adults that need us to teach them valuable life skills. Every now and then allowing a child to use technology to occupy himself is okay. However, if we rely on it because we are too tired to parent then there is a problem. Technology also causes social disconnect and short attention spans. I think we can do better for our children. The greatest minds in history were raised without an iPhone.