I've been wondering why. Why are kids not playing outside? Why does the neighbourhood now seem like an adult only neighbourhood?
It's the lack of childhood kids these days are having.
Now, I'm going to have to compare my childhood to the ones children have nowadays so I can truly show you what I mean.
When I was young, I played outside with my friends. We'd visit each other's houses, ride our bikes around the neighbourhood, wander down to the beach to play at the park or go exploring, and we'd sell feijoas or lemons on the side of the road to earn a bit of extra pocket money.
Kids these days don't do that. Now, it's all technology. Kids can find their friends online, text them, facebook them, tweet them even. There's no need to walk over to your friends house to see if they want to come over and play. Kids can just text their friends and get a reply almost instantly.
I guess my issue is not just with technology though. It's the age children are given the technology.
I know a young boy who has a cellphone, and he was given it when he was eight. His younger brother uses their mother's phone - the younger brother began using it when he was three. I was given my first cellphone at the age of eleven or twelve (I can't really remember). Even then, it took months of pestering my parents, arguing that I needed one in case of emergencies. It was only when I started doing road patrol at primary school that they finally gave in.
 |
| Toddler with iPod. |
Schools adding iPads to the list of stationary also make me confused. Why on earth would you put and iPad on a primary school stationary list? It doesn't make sense.
If they need to do art, they can use crayons and paper. I did. There's no need to use an art app.
If they need to do some writing, they can use a pencil and an exercise book. If kids are encouraged to use keyboards, what's going to happen if the battery dies in their fancy iPad? Without learning to use a pen or pencil, we may lose the skill of handwriting.
Now, I'm not saying having technology is bad. It's actually a good thing. We are more connected than ever by Facebook, Google+, Twitter and all those other social networking sites. We have all the information we could possibly want, right at our fingertips, thanks to Wikipedia. I never had that when I started school, but I wish I did.
And yes, there are more pro's to the Modern Technology and Kids debate. It helps them develop essential motor skills late in life. But what ever happened to using toys? My generation played with building blocks, and we developed our motor skills just fine. Learning to read? We had our parents, or when they were busy, we had the Leapfrog LeapPad electronic toy to help.
 |
| Leapfrog LeapPad |
Personally I feel like kids these days have no childhood, but I guess part of me is just sad to see every toy I played with as a kid being displayed in a museum (no joke, there's a whole glass display of toys I used to play with). There are pro's and con's to the modern childhood, but I guess it's the same with every childhood. My parents probably thought I had no childhood, compared to theirs.
By the by, we just have to accept that kids as young as three years old are playing with iPhones and iPads, and perhaps missing out on things that once made childhood fun.
What are your thoughts?
I believe that in this new age year of technology, young children are becoming more computer, technology savvy because of their surroundings and environment.
ReplyDeleteIm all for the technology age in children it creates hand to eye coordination, Creates brain cells to work actively to process large amounts of information, provides and advantage to learning knowledge. (links later)
I feel it is the parents job to allow them to become advanced in this field because when they get older...they will need to know how to use all the flash equipment to function in society/ schools and workplaces.
IPADS ON A STATIONARY LIST...GET REAL SCHOOL WHO CAN AFFORD THAT?
there is nothing stopping parents from introducing more hands on and traditional 'old school' games to their children, but lets face it who will?...
to counter that families could set a no technology day or time once a week to pick up a book and read or play a board game or get out and go for a outing to touch some grass
What i will say is, social media is a technology that needs to be place under strict supervision by all site administrators, administrators of home computers and anyone who controls the access of a person to the social network site.
DANGER DANGER for anyone but especially for children. i consider children to be from the ages of 18 and under...why? because they arent legal to vote . so they dont get given the status of adult till they can contribute a voice to the running af the country.
(more links on this later)
Children in the streets.
well in a neighborhood where everybody knows parents and children ...it could be seen as a safe form of play but lets face the reality.
Most of us don't know our neighbors, we don't know if there is a pedophile is lurking in one of those bushes waiting to pounce on our child, we don't know if the happy exterior appearance of our neighbor is a true representation of the actions that take place inside their walls ...and in fact could be a house full of physical mental or sexual abuse to that child we let play, unsupervised, with our own children.
Who wants to risk putting our babies into a situation like that.
Plainly, the streets aren't safe anymore for children to play unsupervised. Streets do not create a safe environment and should be regarded seriously as a place of danger.
more to come...
Hi Ashleigh this is Nick form iwrite class. Thanks for the very interesting topic it defiantly makes one think. I agree with you the ways in which children experience their childhood compared to 10 years ago to 25 years ago for me have changed but i think it is still experienced.
ReplyDeleteI remember the days too where kids where around playing on the street but now there is a massive amount of after school programs provided. Many of the kids right up to high school age attend such programs. I agree something is lost when they miss out on as you said “wander down to the beach to play at the park or go exploring, and we'd sell feijoas or lemons on the side of the road to earn a bit of extra pocket money” maybe that first taste responsibility and childhood has changed. Is it possible that responsibly and childhood could be explored through the activities kids do now in after school programs? Did you get the chance to consider this in the analysis of why kids are not playing out side and if so did it give you any comfort to the sadness of change of kids childhood or is it still leaving the kids with out a childhood?
I was wondering with the section of “Kids these days don't do that”. It makes one think but with that technology kids can contact more friends and explore the world in a different way. Yes I agree the physical aspect has changed but it dose change. In the old days my parents when kids would explore the world on horse back when I was a kid it was on a bike now its on the computer the method changes but the spirt of exploration of childhood is still there. I understand the fear that comes with internet will the child. Is it safe but the same situation was relevant when we were kids at school is that boy from class room five going to be my friend, is that girl over there the school bully or is that man with big coat hiding in the school field meant to be there. We develop skills to see these things as we grow up and now we have the internet. We have to develop new skills to see theses things in the web. Its up to the parents, educators and the child to create these skills and develop the responsibility to use them in these new childhoods.
These are just some ideas that came up when I was reading also you have so many great points to back up “The lack of childhood of kids these days” maybe you could reinforce them as paragraphs with some structured sentences as deductive or inductive statements and then supportive arguments within the paragraphs to reinforce the your great topic. I enjoyed the two images you have they really helped with the topical theme you have. The blog was very engaging with the topic as one of feelings about the past which we all had an experience related to it. Thanks again for the great topic it really brought me back to those times.
Hi!
ReplyDeleteI agree with your individual informative blog that I read on 4th of May, on the issue that modern technology is changing the pattern of childhood nowadays when compared with past generations. This is because when kids get the opportunity to get a gadget like iphone or ipad, they tend to pay more attention to the gadget and try to play it rather than paying attention to real friends. This is why we seem to see them partaking outdoor activities less than before. But this is the symptom of a social change and we as a people use technology for changes. Back in the past it used to be a bicycle and/or a ball, then the PC followed by the mobile phone, and now its ipads and other technology.
Another key factor, there is not just only the technology that encourages kids to grow too fast, but also the environmental changes generation by generation. In the past, people and neighbours knew each other very well so they allowed their kids to play together, but now there are multicultural people so they seem to be strangers. Consequently, kids may need to stay inside and use computer to play game online or using social networks instead.
Also, in my opinion you could improve on the blog maybe with the flowing ideas. I couldn’t find any hyperlinks in the text of your blog. Is this coming or is it in your referencing only?
Overall, however, I think it’s not really lack of a childhood in their generation. I think past, present and future will still have the childhood life but they are different in each generation and it has been on the rise in the foreseeable future.
Hey,
ReplyDeleteDefinitely with you on this one! A prime example of what I see in my nephew's and niece's has come to a point where it looks like human contact is a choice but staring at an iPhone screen is mandatory.
Being that I am from Malaysia and where we are a multicultural country, I am definitely familiar with the act of riding your bikes for a lot longer than you're supposed to, especially when there was homework involved. Haha!
Also, in some ways, the world really isn't that safe a place anymore where you could let your kids roam freely as they will.
I definately agree with you children don't know how to play outside anymore. Technology is great and yes we can't live without it but I feel we a putting our children at a disadvantage. kids now from the age of three or four start asking their parents for Ipads, Xbox, playstations ect, it is ridiculous.
ReplyDeleteWhen I was younger I went to school with a backpack, books, pencils and crayons. No cell phone, Ipad or electronic learning device. Everything I learnt was read and written down. IF we are sending our children to school with Ipads how are they learning to write? Spell (if they are using spell check)? We are stunting their creative minds by not teaching them the fundamentals of writing and drawing free hand. If you learn to paint on an Ipad how will you become an artist that has to work on a canvas?
I used to come home from school have lunch maybe watch cartoons but everyday the TV went off at a certain time and I was told go outside and grow. You will never grow if you stay inside all day and laze about the house. I must admit sometimes it annoyed me, but most of the time it was fun. We would make up our own games and play all kinds of things.
Where I agree that the world may not be as safe as it as where children can roam the streets and we don't constantly worry for them. Maybe the parents should be more strict about the technology they give their children and how they use it, maybe even allocating time to take their children to a park and play a game of soccer with them or capture the flag instead of to the mall or online to top their Apple account? I might sound harsh but I have nieces and nephews ranging from five to eight that when they visit its not with a ball or colouring book but with ipod touches and Ipads and they sit engrossed over Angry Birds or Fruit Ninja. I think its sad that today's young generation don't know the value of money or the joys of simply being a child and running outside to play.
Soon the idea of a neighborhood cricket match in the culder sac will become a figment of history.
Hey,
ReplyDeleteI totally agree with your view on technology and the age children are introduced to it. If I had a young child I would be in no rush to provide them with technology that takes away the enjoyment and innocence that childhood is. I also see a lot of this working in hospitality!
Children come in to the cafe that I work at and are holding the lastest technology in their hands, in order to keep them occupied for an hour or so! I do see how this may be an easy option for parents. This could be resolved, as you say, by allocating time away from the technology, to be a normal kid again.
Makes me think though, surely if this many people of our generation are starting to see the effects that technology is having on children, we must not want the same for our own children one day? Maybe history can repeat itself and bring back the old days of playing outside for entertainment as a child.
Hi Ashleigh This is Nick again form class reading your Blog second time on the 13th of May. Great material and so much extra material added it took me a very long time to digest all the new content which was great. Below is what I said previously based on your great entry on Post #1 My Beef with technology I’ve continued form there and made some quick comments on the other new three posts that you have made. So including what I said before on the 28 of April, heres my extra stuff.
ReplyDeleteThe other three posts added to post one were so great.
Post 2 stress why some children want to grow up. Great entry all the way it is very interesting in a stressed based society which expects us to accept and deal with high stress. That same society is happy to dump that concept on kids not good. Very cool entry.
Post 3 another view kids aren't growing up fast enough was very interesting. I would be great to see more evidence relating to this fact to support your point like what were the contradictions in the New York Times article compared to the Washington Post. It was important to mention it but why what was so different. You did a great job of being fair on both sides of the argument.
Post 4 Clothing for young girls too sexualised very important point I agree with you even though back when i was a kid and my mother was young too kids were wearing bikinis but the reduction of the material to almost nothing is very shocking I so agree with you.
To sum up apart form what is already said great work !!! but I did have trouble with digesting the large amount of content. I also couldn't find a summary that summed up what you said to point out that you have achieved what you set out to do with all those amazing posts. Is that part some where else because I couldn't find it also is the other 4 hyperlinks in that conclusion or a upcoming reference page for I couldn't find them too. Thanks again for the great read, it proves to old people like me, that blogs are a great resource of information and thought provoking insights.
Hi:) I've only read this article of yours( and will be reading the other posts soon!) but enjoyed reading it.
ReplyDeleteI remember getting my first cellphone when I turned 13(it was a flip phone back then but I thought I was a bad ass). Growing up in Japan with my parents both working for Panasonic, I grew up with modern tech and "new toys". Despite how I grew up I still believe school these days are getting too ridiculous. iPad as a learning tool. Who needs them? What happened to good old notebooks and pens!!
But like anything, technology is changing. Maybe schools using iPads are part of the technological changes that we need to get on with. I wonder what our parents thought about how we grew up and how we are studying now. Let's face it. We are studying about how to "blog".
Hey, I totally agree with you and your view on how kids are becoming dependent on technology . I nanny a 2 year old boy and he loves iPads and knows how to use them and all the kids apps, personally I don't think its right that he's quite dependent on being entertained by it so when I am looking after him I keep the iPad well away!! I understand that technology can benefit children's development but only to a certain extent, I think playing outside and reading book, playing with toys etc. is very stimulating for the child's mind. Personally I think technology is the easy option for parents to keep their kids happy and occupied. One day when I become a Mother I won't allow my children limitless access to technology, there will be rules!
ReplyDeleteI don't fully agree with this. I think it depends on which neighbourhood you live in. When I walk home from uni I nearly always see my neighbours 5-6 kids playing outside with their dog. Though this is only one of my neighbours, they make me think about my own childhood, playing with my brother, my sisters and my neighbours. I loved my childhood.
ReplyDeleteMy 5 year old nephew knows how to use a laptop, he know how to use an iPhone and iPod, he knows how to use a ps3, he even has his own leap pad. But he doesn't play on them very often. He plays on his trampoline, or with his toys, or with the neighbours daughter. He likes to read and draw and make army forts with his dad. He does tae kwon do. He's very active and always wants to play outside.
I think that heavy technology use in kids fall on adults. Parents can block certain social networking sites but they just don't choose to. If kids see teens and adults on Facebook or Twitter then they're gonna copy you because they learn from what they see.
HI Ashleigh
ReplyDeletelove your writing as always. However my point is that I would seek a balance with the technology aspect. For example it seems clear to me that children need to engage with the technology to achieve the competence they need to live in our changing society. For example my 87 year old father is struggling with a powerpoint presentation for a speech he is going to make. My 10 year old daughter has recently done one for a class presentation and she is mostly self taught. She is of the digital generation. My job as parent is to ensure she experiences a balance of technology and other media. She loves her Lego, she loves creating things out of cardboard , she had a solo art exhibition at the age of 9. One thing we need conscious of as it is not fully researched yet, is the effect on mind and body (over years) of prolonged exposure to devices and their radiation and their effect on neural pathways. Therefore moderation and balance. IPad inside when its raining, go the beach when it's sunny. Cheers Alan
Society is constantly changing. I see it as a good thing. I can't wait to see what the 20's hold. Btw that baby could still be having fun? Its just a new form of fun that you are not accustom to.
ReplyDelete