I’m sure I’m not alone in questioning whether my kids are missing out on childhood. Do I wish they had the childhood I had? Despite growing up in a developing country, I was fortunate to have a carefree childhood and never went without. Due to advances in technology, kids have more access now to gadgets and information which simply was not available or possible when I was young. Living standards have also improved considerably, so its easy to assume that life is better than ever for our children.
Research undertaken recently by My Voucher Codes says that 32% of parents worry that their children rely on technology too much. Other surveys have also shown that parents are concerned that their children are growing up too quickly due to technology.
Looking around online, the question of whether kids are missing out on childhood is a common one and that many parents wish their children had the same upbringing as them. For me, the reality of the answer to the question comes down to the responsibility of parents in guiding children when it comes to technology and gadgets, an opinion also shared by Working Mother. Yes, things may have seemed less complicated when I was growing up and it was perhaps a time when everyone had more time for each other. We didn’t have any where near the amount of technology available, but despite this I have always embraced new technology as long as there are limits in place.
I wrote some time back about the need to disconnect once in a while, but when it comes to your kids its more important than ever that boundaries are in place. My two girls are still quite young (1 and 6), so its been fairly easy to manage this so far. There are some great tools out there which can help you with this such as the wonderful HomeHalo Parental Internet Control System which we reviewed last year.
To summarise, I’m taking the optimistic view that my kids will have a better childhood than me, particularly when it comes to technology and gadgets. It’s just down to us to make sure that this is balanced.
Do you think kids are missing out on the childhood you had? Please leave a comment as I would love to know what you think.
*Disclosure: this is collaborative post
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Love you all ❤
Franca 💋
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Well I wouldn’t wish my childhood on anyone (that’s another story!) but I do definitely worry about my daughter growing up in today’s ‘digital age’ and will be checking out that homehalo review. Thanks for hosting #KCACOLS
I think balance is the key to this. I wasnt allowed a lot of technology as a kid. I think technology can be a useful tool but can also be very debilitating. I hope i manage to find a good balance between the childhood i had, and the one i hope to give my son #KCACOLS
I agree that it is up to us as parents to make sure there’s a good balance. I find that easier when the weather’s nice. We spend a lot of time in the garden and the park and expect for my camera no technology is featuring, where when we are in doors Caspian quickly spots the computer or Iphone and wants to play with it and wants to watch it. Thought provoking post (in a very good way!) #KCACOLS
Nadia – ScandiMummy x
I really think it’s a double edged swored when it comes to technology and the internet. It gives our kids so much more opportunity and they can be so much more creative than we could be – the sky really is the limit for them. But at the same time I feel that we all spend far too much time in front of screens and we need to make sure our kids still enjoy the simple pleasures in life and get outdoors and keep active. #KCACOLS xx
I think most people would say I let my son have too much screen time, and maybe I do, but I’ve given up feeling guilty about it. Yes he may watch too many films or play too much CBeebies on my phone BUT we also go out most days and he does a huge variety of experiences so hopefully that balances it out. Thanks for the thought-provoking post 🙂 #kcacols x
I totally agree that it’s all about balance. Unfortunately we live in a day and age where technology is a huge part of our lives to the point where most employers now require you to have a basic understanding of computers. I’ll definitely be monitoring my sons use of computers and encourage him to play outdoors or use his imagination but when we’re out I do take my tablet with me and give it to him if we sit down for a coffee or what not. As long as he isn’t glued to it 24/7 I think it’s OK x #KCACOLS
This was interesting read as i have been disucssing the same thing recenelty with friends. Manily yes i think a break from screen time is needed however I aslo strongly believe that our childrens futures will be based, inlcude and require them to have a grasp on techionolgy. From schools using intyeractive white boards, to energy companies introducing apps to control heating to app creatation being a fast growing econmy. Its part of our future which ever way you think about it.
#KCACOLS
I agree. My children are really into technology but it’s about limiting the time they spend on them. Like most things, it’s ok in moderation. Finding the balance is important to keep up with today’s ways of technology but ensuring ‘play’ still happens. #KCACOLS
There are some aspects of my childhood I hope my children will have, but many things I have now I wish I had then. I was very isolated a teenager and the internet would’ve made a hell of a difference! #kcacols
My kids have xboxes and kindle fires. My daughter we limit her time on the xbox a fair bit. As for her kindle we used to but more often than not she sets it up and puts on music while she lays or records herself playing with toys (because she is going to be a youtube star according to her) My kds still get out, they still play with friends, color and do all the things I did as a kid, they probably watch less tv, I think that is the trade off they would rather be on the kindle than watch tv and I think that might be okay #KCACOLS
I agree with most of the other comments that balance is the key. My 2 year old was a bit obsessed by the iPad a few months ago but doesn’t seem bothered by it now.
What already worries me is when they’re teenagers and have bullying via social media to content with, you hear such horrible stories 🙁
#KCACOLS
I agree with you completely – it’s something to be aware of, and something we have to make sure doesn’t get out of hand – but it’s just like any other boundary a parent might set. I have trouble with my 3 yo boy already. His autism means that he finds great comfort in gadgets of all kinds – computers, tablets, tv, ipods – they tend to be predictable and not need social interaction – so they are his best friends! I have had to modify my views about some things but ultimately, at the moment they provide so much comfort that I can’t see them as a bad thing, used responsibly #KCACOLS
I think it’s more tempting to use electronic devices as a babysitter to get things done around the home. In my day (!) we had about 3 hours of children’s tv in the afternoon and that was it. Obviously, it’s down to being responsible parents to get some sort of balance. Thanks for hosting #kcacols
Great post! I think childhood is so different these days, and children grow up a lot faster than we did. Thankfully, whilst both myself and my other half work in IT, we limit any screen time and to be honest, our daughter isn’t that fussed anyway. I do feel continuously guilty that we drive everywhere though – rather than doing nice things like walking to school and nursery in a leisurely way as I used to when I was young. #KCACOLS
I think you’re right Franca, it’s all about balance. I also think it’s wrong to assume that children are ‘missing out’ just because they are not climbing as many trees or jumping in as many streams as we did. My kids maybe don’t do those things as much as I did, but they have so much more in terms of holidays, sports, museum and other visits to places of interest. I think on balance they do ok! #KCACOLS
I think it’s all about a bit of everything…when I was younger we just went out and played all day and came back for tea. It’s no longer like this now, and we can’t let E do that which I do find sad too. I do find the increase in screen time and TV is worrying and try to limit that as much as I can…though she is addicted to Cbeebies! Thanks for hosting #KCACOLS xxx
I get where some people come from on this, but I think technology has made it an amazing time to be a child. When I was a kid it would take me a couple of weeks to hear from my penpal – now kids can speak to each other face to face even if they live on opposite sides of the world. You can find out anything you want, look up instructions for any project you might want to make, track down rare stuff for collections, etc. Kids might not play outdoors as much as they did in the 70s, but they’re also able to do so many things that kids then couldn’t even dream of. 🙂 #KCACOLS