I was taking a stroll in my neighborhood the other day, just a few hours before sundown, and what I saw really upset me. Usually that was time kids come out and play, before or after completing their homework and studies, but the empty streets really saddened me. Then later that week I found out what stopped the kids from playing.
Disturbing Revelation
I was invited to my neighbor's house for tea and she has two adorable children. I noticed something rather peculiar, her children weren't playing with each other, and they weren't studying either. They were playing games on it and didn't even look while I spoke to them; it seemed as if they were addicted. I asked my neighbor how long they spend on the tablet and she said ‘all day’ in a rather proud tone. As a child educator, this bit of information disturbed me. I was also told that this was the trend among schoolchildren these days.
Many Concerned
I went back home and decided to read up more on this as I was sure that I was not the only one concerned about the issue. On the net I came across lot of articles and blogs written by educators, parents and members of the administrations of various schools, about how much children are addicted to playing games on tablets. In fact, many admit that children are addicted to it and therefore, it affects their studies. They don’t want to go to school because they aren't allowed to use their tabs; they are hostile at social gatherings and irritable when they don’t get to spend time on the tab. I read another opinion, by Mary Bousted, General Secretary,Association of Teachers and Lecturers, which I completely agreed with,
“It is like having a TV in the bedroom but it is easier [to deceive parents] because it is smaller. Parents will say to their children ‘turn your tablet off now and go to bed’ but two hours later they’re still under the duvet playing their computer games. Rather than sleeping they can be playing the games for anything between four and five hours. My view is the only thing you as a parent can do is take it off them.”
Consequences & Solutions
Just because students are addicted to playing games on their tabs till late, they arrive at school all groggy and sleepy. This leads to lack of concentration and tiresome behavior and even sleep deprivation which is very unhealthy. They are becoming exceedingly withdrawn which simply a very bad sign and if the tablet is confiscated by parents or school authorities, students show a rebellious attitude. No one has come up with a definite solution till now and it will definitely take time.
Afterthought...
After reading all these opinions and articles on the net, my worries worsened but I also thought about a few other things. On one hand, tablets are a bane in the lives of schoolchildren but on the other, it is a boon for college students or those pursuing higher education. A lot of the syllabus can be stored on the tablet, making it easy for students to travel on the go, so this gadget, if used to its utmost potential, can be extremely useful, but parents should a show certain amount of restraint and think twice before handing schoolchildren a tablet.
Disturbing Revelation
I was invited to my neighbor's house for tea and she has two adorable children. I noticed something rather peculiar, her children weren't playing with each other, and they weren't studying either. They were playing games on it and didn't even look while I spoke to them; it seemed as if they were addicted. I asked my neighbor how long they spend on the tablet and she said ‘all day’ in a rather proud tone. As a child educator, this bit of information disturbed me. I was also told that this was the trend among schoolchildren these days.
Many Concerned
I went back home and decided to read up more on this as I was sure that I was not the only one concerned about the issue. On the net I came across lot of articles and blogs written by educators, parents and members of the administrations of various schools, about how much children are addicted to playing games on tablets. In fact, many admit that children are addicted to it and therefore, it affects their studies. They don’t want to go to school because they aren't allowed to use their tabs; they are hostile at social gatherings and irritable when they don’t get to spend time on the tab. I read another opinion, by Mary Bousted, General Secretary,Association of Teachers and Lecturers, which I completely agreed with,
“It is like having a TV in the bedroom but it is easier [to deceive parents] because it is smaller. Parents will say to their children ‘turn your tablet off now and go to bed’ but two hours later they’re still under the duvet playing their computer games. Rather than sleeping they can be playing the games for anything between four and five hours. My view is the only thing you as a parent can do is take it off them.”
Consequences & Solutions
Just because students are addicted to playing games on their tabs till late, they arrive at school all groggy and sleepy. This leads to lack of concentration and tiresome behavior and even sleep deprivation which is very unhealthy. They are becoming exceedingly withdrawn which simply a very bad sign and if the tablet is confiscated by parents or school authorities, students show a rebellious attitude. No one has come up with a definite solution till now and it will definitely take time.
Afterthought...
After reading all these opinions and articles on the net, my worries worsened but I also thought about a few other things. On one hand, tablets are a bane in the lives of schoolchildren but on the other, it is a boon for college students or those pursuing higher education. A lot of the syllabus can be stored on the tablet, making it easy for students to travel on the go, so this gadget, if used to its utmost potential, can be extremely useful, but parents should a show certain amount of restraint and think twice before handing schoolchildren a tablet.