Open Debate: Exposing youngest children to new technologies: Boon or bane?

OPEN DEBATE

Exposing youngest children to new technologies: Boon or bane?

In a departure from usual conference/symposia practice of select experts and speakers on the dais dispensing wisdom to delegates, the seventh EducationWorld Early Childhood Education National Conference 2017 allocated considerable time for delegates from the floor to express themselves and share their knowledge and classroom experiences with the general assembly. Moreover for the first time, the conference introduced an Open Debate on a very topical subject ‘Exposing youngest children to new technologies: Boon or bane?’

After brief summary presentations of the pros and cons of introducing children to new age digital technologies and gadgets in their early years by EW editors Dilip Thakore and Summiya Yasmeen, delegates were invited to opine on the issue over a period of 50 minutes. The summaries which set the tone for the Open Debate are presented below.

Boon

• Early exposure to technology prepares youngest children for integration into primary school
• Audio-visual content makes learning fun and enjoyable
• New technologies enable self-learning
• Computers are intrinsically compelling for young children. Sounds and graphics attract children’s attention and enhance their cognitive and social skills
• Several studies indicate it enhances hand-eye coordination, improves language skills and school readiness
• Exposure to technology helps children develop problem-solving and other skills, e.g, music
• Increases motivation to complete tasks

Bane 

• It discourages outdoor play, connect with nature and person-to-person interaction crucial for development of socialisation skills
• It can adversely impact attention spans and creativity and affect the brain chemistry of youngest children given that by age two a child’s brain grows to 80 percent of adult size
• Steve Jobs famously didn’t allow his children to use ipads and limited his children’s access to technology
• The American Academy of Pediatrics has recommended that children below two years of age should not be allowed any tech time, and for children from two-four years, screen time (including television) should be limited to two hours per day 
• In Taiwan, the government levies a fine of Rs.1 lakh on parents who don’t restrict the screen time of children aged below 18 years
• Can prompt obesity and vision-related ailments
• Restricts creativity 
• There’s a backlash in the US and Europe, with some preschools banning all contact with new age technology devices

Over 20 delegates shared their thinking on this burning issue which is perplexing middle class parents in particular, countrywide. The majority of delegates recommended careful adult — teachers and parents — supervision of youngest children with access to new technology gadgets and gizmos, and restriction of screen time for all children.