Technology Creep – Dr Bexl Revamp

Keeping track of a number of stories relating to ‘Raising Children in a Digital Age‘ in the news:

Do children need pencils or tablets?: The results of a new survey by an online guide to nurseries, daynurseries.co.uk, show that parents should protect their young ones from what has been termed as “technology creep” which sees devices such as tablets being used in nursery schools.

Children own 6 digital devices by 13: That’s the findings of a new survey by IT firm Logicalis, which also reveals that 84% of children polled own a smartphone, 78% own a laptop, and 51% own a tablet device.

Family Time: Moms champion traditional toys even in a digital age: While there is no denying the benefits of digital devices and it is becoming commonplace for parents to pass their tablets to Junior, research shows many want to limit the time their kids spend on screens, large and small. Parents also actively encourage their kids to play with toys that may help them reach critical developmental milestones. So how have traditional toys stood the test of time?

Cell Phones Could Be Hurting College Students’ Grades And Happiness: Study: “These findings add to the debate about student cell phone use, and how increased use may negatively impact academic performance, mental health, and subjective well-being or happiness,” the researchers wrote in the Computers in Human Behavior study.

Only half of NZ kids aware of online dangers: The research by YouGov, commissioned by Vodafone, also found only 59 per cent of parents believed they were getting enough support in teaching children about internet safety.
Cyberbullies Don’t Take Holidays Off: Words Wound: This the first book we know of that is written specifically for teens about cyberbullying. We believe it will resonate strongly with our primary audience, and also be appreciated by educators who can use the accompanying (free) Leader’s Guide to cover each chapter while also providing and assigning class work, homework, and interesting activities — and even formally assess (through our tools) how well students understood the material and made it their own.
CTA Digital’s iPad-meets-toilet for infants garners parental wrath: The Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood this week began a letter-writing campaign against the $34.99 product from CTA Digital, calling it “oppressive and destructive to young children,” while also naming it the worst toy of the year.
Man jailed for amassing child porn: A man who had amassed thousands of child pornography images and recordings was arrested after police tracked his digital footprint following a tip off from an international child monitoring agency.

Making Good Digital Stuff for Kids Is Magic: For kids being digital is like breathing oxygen — it’s just something that you do. For the makers of quality kids digital media it’s like being a grand puppeteer. You’re best if you’re unnoticed. You want kids to believe in the magic that you create for them.
How Technology Is Warping Your Memory: Technology changes the way we live our daily lives, the way we learn, and the way we use our faculties of attention — and a growing body of research has suggested that it may have profound effects on our memories (particularly the short-term, or working, memory), altering and in some cases impairing its function.
A growing need for teaching digital citizenship to younger children: A recent report from Common Sense Media indicates that it is increasingly more common for kids under the age of nine to frequently use iPods, iPads or tablets, and mobile phones. In our schools we are witnessing these changes. It is becoming more common for younger students to have a Smartphone in their backpacks to be able to communicate with their parents and friends.