screen time


Do you limit screen time at home? 21

Screen time and the boys is something I battle with.  It isn’t such an issue in the summer and good weather when their first choice would be to be outside playing with their friends.  But as the nights draw in, then they do reach for the screen more often than not.  They are not TV fanatics and we do not have it on in the background, but they do love their Ipods and Xbox. It is all about finding a balance that suits us as a family. At the moment, we have strict limits on screen time at home which are no screens at all (except for TV as a family) more »


Was I the only girl that hated real horses growing up?

When I was younger ever one wanted to be in the pony club.  My friends all went horse riding regularly, whilst I stood by and watched them.  I did give it a go, but each and every time something horrible happened.  I was bitten, bucked off and fell off each and every time I got on to the back of a horse. I used to watch my friends longingly as they rode along the beach on the horses, but was thankful that I didn’t have to get up early to help muck out! I bet my parents were also really happy that I wasn’t in to horses growing up, as it more »


Gadgets for the kids

When I was younger, there were no such things as gadgets – never mind one’s made for kids. Each Christmas, my list used to be topped by the latest pretty doll or a new sketchbook. I’m not going to lie, I don’t really like children using gadgets. We had tea in a pub recently and I was shocked to see one family dining in silence, with a child that barely took her eyes from her tablet computer. That’s what I don’t like about them – I would much rather see my kids getting active or doing something creative, rather than getting square eyes from staring at a mind-numbing screen. However, after more »


TV, computer games, internet, mobiles: are kids being exposed to too much technology? 9

There are also growing concerns over the type of content that children now have access to, with violent video games and inappropriate websites just a few clicks away, and the softening of television and film age ratings. Horror stories in the news have only heightened these concerns in recent years, leading some to believe that children should have their access to technology limited to just a few hours a day, giving them more time to spend outdoors or interacting with other children.

Whilst these concerns are all valid, it is important not to lose sight of the innate value of technology to today’s youth. The recent Olympic games are a prime example of the benefit of television to children, with 90% of the entire UK population having tuned in to watch at least 15 minutes of live coverage over its two week duration. The ability for children to find out more about and interact with positive role models such as the Olympic summer heroes is made possible by access to technology.

It has also been suggested that technology has revolutionised the way in which children learn, giving them access to innovative educational resources by way of newly developed apps, or by making revision fun with programs such as the BBC’s GCSE Bitesize series. The benefits of technology can also be seen in the development of children with educational difficulties, with websites and other resources available to help children with conditions from mild dyslexia to extreme autism.

Overall, the question of whether children are being exposed to too much technology remains extremely difficult to answer in a general sense. With parents able to limit the time spent in front of the television and monitor or restrict online activity, it is arguable that technology has become an invaluable educational and developmental resource for our young, allowing them to witness global events and take part in new experiences from their own homes.

Feel strongly about this topic or have an experience to share? Then please leave your comments below.