The holidays bring great expectations to parents.
Whether you’re aiming to simply amuse your child or really scare them, a new tech product can prove to be the fastest way to make their vacation dreams come true.
But experts say it’s worth thinking about how that technology can improve your home life. A new gaming console can lead to conflicts in the long run. Your preschooler may accidentally use their new tablet to play the wrong games. That virtual reality title your kid has been asking for might have interpersonal hangouts with friends.
One thing you should know before buying a gift card
Dr. Jenny Radesky, a developmental pediatrician who approved the American Academy of Pediatrics’ screen time guidelines for children ages zero to five, says there are strategies to avoid or manage these conflicts. (The AAP has its own set of related tips for parents.)
She recommends carefully evaluating the technology you’re planning to gift, considering any alternatives as needed, and preparing to talk to your child about how he or she will use it.
“It’s good to have fun with your kids and enjoy their happiness,” Radesky said. “But there are also really big differences in the design of various technologies that make it a headache for parents…”
And no one wants a headache after weeks of planning and preparing for holiday gift giving.
Whether you’ve already bought your child a technology device, or plan to, here are five questions to ask yourself before giving it to them:
Is the technology well known?
Radesky says that buying your child a gaming console with years of user experience behind it is a different situation than buying your child a new AI-robot friend (yes, such a thing exists).
With a Nintendo Switch or Sony PlayStation, you can check out expert reviews for pros and cons, talk to parents who own the console, and read related stories about their safety practices and parental controls. The same will not be the case with new and emerging products; you will have less information to make an informed decision, compared to other established technology products.
That said, trust your gut if you’re researching a product that’s been on the market for years and you develop concerns that it’s not right for you or your family.
Is that so indeed education?
Radesky says children’s toys and technology devices often claim to be educational, without evidence. An attractive marketing strategy can trick parents into buying disappointing products.
There are devices and apps with simple designs and annoying ads, for example. And some products claim to help your child with a basic skill, such as reading, but actually have a narrower scope, such as practicing letters.
Radesky recommends that parents think about whether the so-called educational product is really better than the child’s game, which can help him develop important skills.
Mashable Light Speed
“Free play and pretend is a really important process for children to develop their cognitive flexibility, their attention span, and their ability to tell stories in their heads,” Radesky said.
He also notes that educational claims are not scrutinized by regulatory agencies in the US, and companies that do are required to provide evidence to support those claims.
Are there security or privacy concerns?
Each technology device has its own security and privacy considerations, which creates a lot of work for parents. A smartphone, for example, can give advertisers, bullies, and bullies a direct line to your child. A new video game, popular with your child’s friends, may unexpectedly display violence or adult sexual content.
To get a better handle on these issues, Radesky suggests parents research what parental controls are available for devices and subscriptions.
Parents can also check out Common Sense Media’s extensive reviews of games and apps. (Radesky has received research funding from Common Sense Media in the past.) Mozilla’s guide *Privacy Not Included provides reviews based on whether a product meets the company’s basic security standards. The guide includes a number of children’s toys and games, as well as wearables and entertainment products, such as tablets from Amazon and Apple.
Once you better understand the potential security and privacy trade-offs, you can decide against purchasing the product or choose to deal with it through parental controls or other security settings.
Can you change technology and find something else?
Sometimes parents buy a technology device in an attempt to solve one problem, such as providing entertainment on long car rides, but buying indiscriminately creates more conflict.
Radesky says parents should first consider how the technology will be used, and whether there is another way that works better. A parent interested in gifting a tablet or phone so their child can listen to music might look to smart or screenless speakers, for example.
Although less popular than Amazon Echo, Yoto, Toniebox, and Mighty offer different types of screen-free access to music, podcasts, and audiobooks.
Yoto Player review: This screen-free speaker keeps kids entertained and engaged
Privacy issues with these alternatives may be a deal breaker for some parents, but Radesky says they can also facilitate skill building and social interaction in ways a tablet can’t.
Without a screen to focus on, children must train their attention to whatever is playing on the device. Additionally, smart or screen-free speakers mean that family dance parties or podcast conversations are more likely to happen than when a child is staring at a phone or tablet.
What conversation do you need to have with your child?
Radesky advises against letting your child use their gift without first talking to them about limits. You don’t have to have that conversation as they tear through the wrapping paper, but it’s wise to have a conversation with them before they start playing with the gift.
For their input, the discussion should focus on monitoring, such as parental controls and screen time limits. If there is a boarding or set-up process, Radesky recommends that parents do it next to their child. That gives parents a chance to talk about any safety issues while they get used to interacting with technology and devices.
Depending on the product, you may also need to download a companion app or create your own account to connect and monitor your child’s account.
Importantly, parents should ensure that their child’s age is entered accurately during setup, as it may affect automatic security settings, such as the ability to send messages with other users or what type of personal data is collected.
If you don’t want to be a buzzkill, Radesky says you can let your child explore and play with their gift during the holidays with few or no time limits, then return that use before school starts.
Either way, parents should have low expectations of their child’s ability to stop playing during the holidays, and Radesky recommends not worrying about that fact. Approach it with curiosity when your child spends a few hours playing a new video game by simply asking, “How did that feel?”
And if mulling over your tech gifting plans this holiday season now makes you hesitant to make an unplanned purchase of a deeply discounted product, that’s okay. Radesky says you don’t have to commit to a gift.
“You want to go in with the mindset of, ‘I want to use this purposefully so it’s not like we’re fighting all the time,'” he said.
Articles
Good Family and Parenting