It is a random Tuesday evening and you just got back from work. You are exhausted and just want to hit the bed. Just as you are preparing to crawl under that cozy blanket, your daughter pulls you back to tell you that she has to submit an assignment on dinosaurs. What will you do? You certainly will not start panicking.
You will tuck yourself in that comfy bed and switch on your tablet. You will then ask your child to search for all the possible dinosaur facts, of course under your supervision. As she surfs through the internet and astonishes you with Stegosaurus’s pea-sized brain, you can easily rest your eyes without worrying about making a trip to the library.
The point being, that the internet is growing in popularity, and kids should learn how to take advantage of it. Young children in this generation already know how to comprehend the internet and make use of it. Moreover, it broadens their learning opportunities by utilizing resources that past generations did not have. Thus, the internet has made children smarter, and they grasp it at an early age.
In short, the internet is everywhere, and people are quickly adapting to it. A toddler, for instance, can use a smartphone to access the internet or a PC to play an online game. Due to all of such benefits that the internet brings with it for kids, almost every parent keeps an eye on the best internet deals out there. If you are the type of parent who prefers high-speed internet that is also easy on your wallet, then you might want to check out Cox internet plans that increase the quality of your streaming, gaming, as well as your online experience.
Are we damaging the brains of our children by handing them the iPad every time or is the internet actually beneficial? This question still haunts many parents and so we are writing this article to discuss the countless benefits that this technology brings to the table as well as ways to ensure its safe usage.
The advantages of the internet
- Access to a vast amount of information
Children can only comprehend what they have access to, traditionally, the only avenues to learning would have been through parents, peers, schools, and the larger community. Now that they have access to the World Wide Web, they have keys to a massive library of information that allows them to learn new things.
- Language expertise
A child’s motivation to pursue research is fueled by the knowledge that they acquire by asking the computer whatever they want to know. Many youngsters will use speech to enter their search queries into search engines, and they will subsequently have to read and analyze the results. Their language will improve over time, and they will grow more adept at discovering the information they seek.
- Problem-solving abilities
Children learn to solve difficulties by working their way through the hurdles offered to advance to the next level on interactive websites and games. Simply utilizing the gadgets improves their skills in this area, as they learn how to fix problems such as programs that do not operate or connectivity troubles.
- Hand-eye synchronization
Children’s hand-eye coordination and comprehension of how to engage with systems can both benefit from educational games that require them to follow things and interact with them. Knowing that pushing the right button will do the intended action is an example.
Moderation is the key
- Reduce the screen time
We all know how useful a tablet can be when you are trying to complete your tasks for the day and your child says, “I don’t have much to do!”
However, we should be cautious about how much time they spend in front of the screen, and make sure it is balanced out with other activities like working out, playing, studying, and social interaction. It is also important to ensure they do not spend too much time in front of the screen at once, and they have put their gadget down for a significant amount of time before going to bed.
- Make it interactive
The benefits of technology are substantially larger when screen time is engaging rather than being passive, according to research. Moreover, the advantages are greatest when it is supervised and other interactions, like discussion, accompany the exercise.
In contrast to passive material, where kids simply absorb what is provided to them and do not have to do anything special, the capacity to control what is happening and a task to solve will make their brains more productive, allowing them to learn.
- Expose them to good quality content
It is critical to ensure that your kids are watching good quality content throughout their screen time. Excessive unsupervised viewing of low-quality content is thought to have a negative impact on physical activities, recreation, sleep, and cleanliness, according to research.
To make sure that your child is watching the right kind of content, you can make use of a number of ways that will guarantee that you are in charge of the applications and games opened by your child. You can also have a proper conversation with your children and explain to them the significance of watching the right kind of content. In addition, also keep an eye on what they are watching.
- Ensure safe usage of apps
Meeting new people and interacting with them on a daily basis is something that we all admire. We can now connect across huge distances thanks to technology like social media. To make content more interesting, many platforms and games now integrate a social component.
In addition to ensuring your children are consuming high-quality content, check that any social features in the apps they are using are age-appropriate and that the app has adequate controls in place to make certain that they are not approached by strangers.
Moreover, converse with your kids about the dangers of befriending unknown people; also ensure that they know what to do if strangers contact them or if personal details are requested.
Final Words
Your child’s growth can be aided by the usage of technology, when utilized properly, in moderation, and in conjunction instead of other activities. However, you should also be aware that uncontrolled or excessive use could cause issues. Thus, your aim should be to introduce your child to the magnificent world of technology. This way they would be able to learn new skills, comprehend different concepts, meet new people and stay up to date with the current happenings.
