Children are easily attracted to the bright, touch-sensitive screens of a tablet

Apr 17, 2014 07:37 GMT  ·  By

The educational sector has discovered its fondness for technology, as of late. A few years ago, we would have seen so many tech brands release devices designed specifically for pupils, educators and school administrators’ needs.

Chromebooks, for example, have originally been intended for school use, but due to their success their presence has now been extended beyond the class room.

Tablets too are also useful tools to be taken into account when we’re talking education. But how much should children be allowed to interact with such devices? A recent report from The Telegraph says there’s should definitely be some limits in that respect.

The UK Association of Teachers and Lecturers warns that children who spend too much time utilizing tablets have been found to be unable to play with standard blocks. If that doesn't seem worrisome enough, also add that these children are said to develop serious problems when it comes to writing with pen and paper.

Furthermore, children who constantly play tablet games, might tend to by-pass a good night’s sleep and subsequently have problems concentrating in class the next day. The lack of sleep is not the only problem here.

According to the Association, the child is very likely to develop an addictive kind of behavior and having to be in a classroom without a tablet around will result in him/her going through symptoms similar to withdrawal.

The problem is nothing in the classroom can visually stimulate the child as much as the bright display of the tablet.

Colin Kinney, a teacher from Northern Ireland says he has “spoken to a number of nursery teachers who have concerns over the increasing numbers of young pupils who can swipe a screen but have little or no manipulative skills to play with building blocks or the like, or the pupils who cannot socialize with other pupils but whose parents talk about proudly about their ability to use a tablet or smartphone.”

Moreover, prolonged exposure to bright-screen devices such as tablets might bring out some other nasty by-products including weight gain, aggressive behavior, tiredness and repetitive strain injury.

The Association warns parents and advises them to turn home Wi-Fi off over night, as to prevent children being tempted to play video games over-night, as opposed to getting a good night sleep.

“It is our job to make sure the technology is being used wisely and productively and that pupils are not making backward steps and getting obsessed and exhibiting aggressive and anti-social behaviors.”

That being said, parents should control the amount of time their kids spends on tablets and encourage them towards other activities as well.