Just under 100% of UK families own at least one touchscreen device, and 97.5% own multiple such devices – some of those families as many as 14 tablets or smartphones. So it's not too surprising that the same study at the University of London found that more than half of the UK's littlest citizens (6-11 month-olds) use a touchscreen device on a daily basis (for nearly 9 min./day), and 92% of its … [Read more...] about Most kids under 3 use tablets daily: Study
Parenting
In 2017, chatbots & other imaginary friends
I am not kidding: The latest tech developments – and certainly not just those aimed at kids – remind me of the much-loved cartoon show of the last decade, "Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends." There are all kinds of imaginary friends emerging, from the toy kind to the digital kind to the kind kids believe they are and have as fans of each other. That probably doesn't make complete sense yet, so … [Read more...] about In 2017, chatbots & other imaginary friends
Insights from under 18 Net users in 4 countries: Research
Young people worldwide are beginning to see the Internet "as a human right, a necessity." That's from Global Kids Online, a research project and network now encompassing 33 countries (and counting). It just released findings from South Africa, the Philippines, Serbia and Argentina, summarized here. "My favorite apps are social media – Whatsapp and Facebook. Also Instagram," 15-year-old Siyanda … [Read more...] about Insights from under 18 Net users in 4 countries: Research
About the AAP’s media guidelines for parents
The American Academy of Pediatrics has updated its guidance on screen time for families by de-emphasizing the term "screen time." The AAP's focus is now more on the "how" of media use than the "how much." "The key is mindful use of media within a family," the AAP's press release quoted Megan Moreno, MD, lead author of the Academy's policy statement for school-aged children and … [Read more...] about About the AAP’s media guidelines for parents
Transformational – not just transactional – Net safety & citizenship needed
A couple of years ago I listened to a heart-rending interview on NPR with Joe Ehrmann, former NFL football player and founder of Coach for America. I'd been the mother of a hockey player for more than a decade and was moved by Ehrmann's call for transformational rather than transactional coaching. Like many parents, I found myself wishing there'd been more of that in our family's experience. But … [Read more...] about Transformational – not just transactional – Net safety & citizenship needed