by
Mark Ollig
“Quit
watching so much television. Go outside and play.”
How
many of us as children remember hearing this after sitting motionless for too
many hours in front of the television screen?
After
a momentary frown, I would usually go outside to ride my bike, throw the
baseball around, or participate in a “Kick the Can” game with my siblings and
the neighborhood kids.
When
yours truly was growing up, there were, of course, no cellphones for my parents
to call or text me on when I needed to come home.
Back
then, mom or dad would remind me to “come home when the streetlights go on.”
Today,
parents are still concerned about their kids spending too much time in front of
a screen.
The
results of a survey conducted to learn about mothers’ attitudes regarding the
use of digital technology by their kids, was recently published.
The
Personal Device Perception Survey was prepared for Touchjet
(http://www.touchjet.com) by The Hoffman Agency (http://www.hoffman.com), with
cooperation from Instantly (https://www.instant.ly).
This
survey asked mothers age 25 to 54, 15 questions concerning technology and their
child’s use of it.
The
answers revealed some interesting perceptions by the mothers about technology’s
effect on their children, and their families.
Feeling
they are losing their kids to the digital screens on cell phones, iPads,
tablets, and video games, was the response of 71 percent of the moms surveyed.
One
question found 79 percent believing too much digital screen time could have a
harmful effect on their child’s vision.
Another
question revealed 89 percent worry about the amount of time their kids spend in
front of a screen.
One
question raised in the survey was about kids spending too much free time alone
with their computing tablets, smartphones, and video games.
Some
84 percent are concerned devices and technologies are jeopardizing kids’ social
skills.
The
survey also revealed an alarming 92 percent agreeing the use of digital screens
is an “epidemic in our society.”
This
high percentage indicates to me their belief children are spending too much
time alone with tech devices, and not enough time perusing other activities,
and being with people.
However,
answers to other survey questions suggest the moms do understand the benefits
of having technology in classrooms, within families, and in a workplace.
Use
of technology and devices, if used by kids for school purposes, was approved by
96 percent of the moms surveyed.
The
support of technology, when used to help bring families closer together was
acknowledged by 94 percent.
Allowing
more time on devices/technology because it will be important for college and
work was favored by 67 percent
When
asked how they prefer to have their child spending their free time, the moms
responded; 62 percent playing sports, 79 percent reading, and 89 percent
playing outdoors.
Other
suggestions receiving 7 percent agreement included: refining their motor skill
activities, working on puzzles, and playing with friends, siblings, and
“regular toys,” such as blocks.
I
was surprised at seeing “playing video games,” was selected by 16 percent,
while 17 percent agreed they prefer to have their child “watching videos” with
their free time.
The
survey does not indicate moms have a problem with technology itself.
This
is supported by the 94 percent who agreed they would be interested in
technology that brings kids and families together.
The
last question asked the moms was if they preferred having their child using a
“one-to-one” computing device; such as a computing tablet when in school, or if
their child should instead participate in an interactive group device; such as
a classroom touchscreen smart projector.
Having
their child partake in an interactive group device was chosen by 58 percent,
while 42 percent chose a one-to-one device.
A
breakdown of the age groups participating in this survey: 44 percent, or 456
responses, from age 25-34; 37 percent, or 383 responses, by the 35-44 year
olds; and 18 percent, or 188 responses, were obtained from the 45-54 year olds.
Being
curious why the survey did not include the dads’ opinions, I contacted The
Hoffman Agency.
“We
wanted to focus in on perceptions held by moms for this first survey. We are
planning additional surveys in the coming months around perceptions held by
dads, and then families overall,” the spokesperson told me.
The
survey brings to light how kids might want to try balancing their time using
technology with other activities; including spending more time with people, and
enjoying the outdoors.
Maybe
they could even start up a neighborhood game of Kick the Can.
