Kids & Technology: Problem or Opportunity?
January 28, 2010
Last week the Kaiser Family Foundation released a report showing that 8-18 year-olds devote an average of 7 hours and 38 minutes to using entertainment media in a typical day. That’s 53 hours a week – a full-time job plus overtime. Lots of adults were surprised. Kids? Not so much. In fact, I heard a fascinating perspective by Youth Radio’s Sarah Hamik that offers a peek into the social, emotional, and psychological impact of habitual technology use for today’s kids.
The question for those of us interested in improving kids health isn’t necessarily “How do we stop this trend?” but “How can we use this new reality to help kids live better lives?”
Youth Radio: The No Texting Challenge / Photo: Mo Riza
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I think this is a smart approach and the answer is probably multifaceted. While we no longer live in the age of silver bullets, you are right, we can make any meaning we want out of this phenomena.
Not to mention that this massive communication amongst kids is helping them make sense of their increasingly complex and overpopulated world –while the fact that they are still kids remains. It’s their support system.
For me the question is how can you put something in that system that is feels supportive, and less stressful for them? I bet you all are hard at work coming up with some interesting answers.
Really like the HL perspective, goes with the name.
I love that you point out greater access to information doesn’t mean kids still aren’t kids – it’s so true, and that’s why Sarah’s story seems so revealing to me. She is navigating her friendships just like any kid at any point in history, but with different tools. And yes, more supportive and less stressful is a great way to think about it. Thanks, Maria!