Imagine a closed box. Inside the box are we- parents, our kids, our home, our household devices, and all tech devices that we use to accomplish our daily activities.
And outside of our box is nature, fresh air, beautiful flowers, trees, architecture, and buildings. It depends on our mindset whether we open the box and have a balanced living in and out or live closed in that box.
It’s also our choice whether we inspire our children to increase their creativity and problem-solving skills, or not.
Choices we Make Affect our Kids
We serve digital platforms in a plate that our kids consume with appetite. Our kids overcome their hunger, not for nature and going out but for the virtual world.
It doesn’t seems that we have taught our kids that there is always a way to balance these two worlds.
Usually, our kids choose the virtual world because we, their parents, choose that world instead of the real one (we rarely go to a restaurant, only order food for home, and lose verbal communication).
What’s Right and What’s Wrong?
We can only imagine how our kids struggle with their thoughts, whether their tech usage is positive or negative.
How can we expect our kids to decide between the digital and the offline world when their screens are on from early age (two years old or even babies)?
The only way to utilize tech for the best is by finding out how to use it usefully. So let’s start!
How can technology be useful?
Every problem needs a solution. Our perception of the problem defines our acts. From my point of view, I always think of problems as challenges. I also advise my children in that spirit.
That is why creativity and problem-solving skills are crucial for our living. Our kids need to develop these skills, to manage their problems successfully.
Technology has a huge impact on improving those kinds of skills. Let’s overview how digital devices can help children to develop knowledge and creativity.
· Research
Finding information is the first thing that our kids gain from research. It is easy to update their knowledge this way.
They have the problem that needs to be solved and the skill to solve that problem. And search engines offer the only help they need.
· Fast Typing Skills
Everyday practice on keyboards improves our kid’s typing skills. It is valuable because it saves time and that’s crucial in today’s world.
· Creative Writing
When I was a student, creative writing was exhausting. Paper writing demands a lot of effort and someone to check your work (if there are errors, writing over again was always painful).
Our kids learn to write at school and practice very easily using technology. If they have the creativity, they can also write their own stories!
· Graphic Design
Thanks to technology, our kids can develop their creativity and turn words into pictures and videos. They can use their capacity and expand their knowledge on different programs.
· Learning and Education
Today’s education depends on tech use, and kids use their skills to learn and gain knowledge faster than we could.
· Technology Develops Ambitious Kids
Ambitious kids are the engine of today’s world. They don’t only want to be successful but also need to have a competitive character, achieve more, and think outside the box.
When is Technology Harmful?
According to the tech opportunities our kids make, they can either choose to gain creativity and problem-solving skills or destroy their knowledge.
It is always easier to destroy something instead of building it. So let’s go over the negative sides of technology.
· Video Games
Video games may sometimes benefit children’s focus, but mostly they don’t.
Children tend to forget the clock when they play games. And video games seldom have educating content.
It’s OK to let your children relax and have some fun with their favorite game, but you should also let them know the limits you set.
· Non-Educational Video Material
Children watch all sorts of content on social media, video platforms, and such.
Most of that content isn’t useful at all. Kids watch people playing video games or reviewing toys, which isn’t time spent productively.
Again, I’m not saying to restrict your children from relaxing by watching videos. Instead, I advise you to monitor their digital presence and check what they’re watching.
· Social Media Influence
Social media is a serious threat to today’s youth. All sorts of people (so-called “influencers”) trick your children into believing their professional “life tips”.
Talk with your kids, see what they’re interested in, and introduce them to content creators that try to make child-friendly and fun content.
· Health Problems
Using tech too much can lead to serious health problems that might last a lifetime.
For example, studies show that too much screen time may lead to problems with vision, sleep and more.
On the other hand, using devices too much can also cause a lack of focus and concentration, ultimately hindering children’s creativity and problem-solving skills.
Also, if children develop an addiction to tech, they can face serious mental health problems and in some cases obesity.
How To Encourage Children to Get Creative With Tech
So far, we’ve discussed the positive and negative effects technology has on our children’s creativity and problem-solving skills.
But how do we transfer that to our children? Let’s find out!
· Communication
Communication is the key to successful parenting. Establishing a good relationship with your children means that half of your problems are already solved.
So, sit with your children, talk, and debate about the pros and cons of involving technology in developing creativity and problem-solving skills.
Who knows, maybe you’ll learn something new from your children. But don’t forget, your main goal is for you to educate them.
· Family Bonding
If your child isn’t motivated and excited about developing their skills and knowledge, do that with them.
Try doing all kinds of activities (listed above) with your children, and they might find the perfect one for them.
Conclusion
Technology offers us both good and bad things. It depends on us and how we want to use it.
If parents and children use it for good and take the problems as challenges, we can improve our creativity and problem-solving skills while having fun with technology.
To conclude, tech offers thousands of chances to develop our creativity and skills, and we just have to take them!
ALSO READ: The Effects of Technology on Children’s Memory and Learning
