/ 22 October 2012

Real versus virtual play

Real Versus Virtual Play

In our modern world, tele-vision is no longer the only medium stealing attention away from precious time together as a family. Cellphones, tablets, iPods, laptops, computers and gaming devices are absorbing the time and attention of children. Some children are becoming addicted to technology and can spend more than 31 hours a week “connected”. “We live in a technological era and therefore children need to be familiar with technology,” said Charlene Arkeldien, a social worker and parent education facilitator at the Parent Centre in Wynberg, Cape Town.

“However, the challenge for parents is to design a schedule for different types of play and also to teach children the traditional games they played during their childhood.”

Steve Vosloo, a programme specialist in mobile learning at Unesco, believes that introducing children to technology at a young age is vital and agrees that this process needs to be managed carefully because too much screen time at a young age is not healthy. Parents must take responsibility for helping their children to find a healthy balance between real and virtual play. Soraya Modan, head of remedial education at the Star International Primary School in Cape Town, believes that technology is a supplementary activity that should never replace valuable childhood activities such as art work, playing sport, dramatic play and time together as a family.

Ramon Thomas, an independent online behaviour expert has identified warning signs of addiction:

• Once engaged with online activities or playing computer games, does your child refuse to leave his or her room?

• Does your child have a balanced life? For example, is your child still doing exercise, eating well and engaging in face-to-face social interactions? and

• Does your child prefer to be left alone with access to technology rather than interact with people?

Home and school are closely linked. Arkeldien proposes that the school governing body, in combination with parents, should formulate a policy for the use of technology and include this in the code of conduct. Technology is advancing all the time, said Modan, and parents should exercise their power to decide on the timing and the amount of exposure their children will have to the digital world. Thomas blames parents for not imposing limits on their children’s use of technology. “Parents limit their children’s access to alcohol and drugs from a young age. However, they do not apply the same rules to the use of online technologies and smartphones. This can lead to addiction to technology,” he said.

The experts advise parents to:

• Take control before technology takes controls of your family;

• Plan a variety of outdoor and indoor family activities;

• Encourage your child to have a hobby;

• Avoid placing a television set, computer, tablet or phone in your child’s bedroom;

• If your child is on social networks, monitor to whom they are speaking;

• Allow a fixed time for media use, for example, an hour each day;

•Set boundaries but be reasonable. For example, after 8pm, confiscate your child’s cellphone;

 • Switch off the television set and shut down computer games;

• Designate one day a week as a technology-free day. Lead by example. Do not use technology that day. Make this a family day;

• Familiarise yourself with the technological devices being used in your household.

• Secure your child’s online safety by visiting sites such as itu.int/cop and fpbprochild.org.za. Keep internet access centralised and ensure that, as a parent, you have access at any time. Discuss internet safety with your children on a regular basis;

• Ensure that you have access to your child’s cellphone at any time; and

• Cultivate and nurture an open relationship with your child and always be approachable.
Information provided by Arkeldien, Thomas, Modan and Vosloo.