Is there such a thing as too young when it comes to technology?

Image by: Mihai Dragomirescu – Flickr

By Rachel Stewart

Children have been sitting in front of television sets for years.

Image by: byronv2 – Flickr

Now children sit in front of their computer or on a mobile device or iPad.

Image by: Rebecca Trynes – Flickr

Are children learning to use technology at too young an age?

Image by: PhotographybyPaul – Flickr

The touch-screen technology is a natural for toddlers – no surprise to parents who have watched young children instinctively reach out to television screens for theirfavourite cartoon characters.Source: http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/article/934673--iphone-apps-a-hit-with-preschoolers

Image by: Wayan Vota – Flickr

Toronto teacher Steacie Carroll is using the touch-screen technology with her students aged 4 to 14 who have developmental disabilities.Source: http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/article/934673--iphone-apps-a-hit-with-preschoolers Image by: Dean Shareski – Flickr

There are positives of technology in regards to learning at a young age as children can use their tech-savvy skills all through their life instead of trying to learn later in life.

Image by Sparky – Flickr

What about the negatives? Are children becoming too attached to technology?

Image by: Dan Barbus – Flickr

87 per cent of kids aged between 4 to 16 either owned or had access to a mobile phoneSource: http://news.ninemsn.com.au/national/8211585/schools-should-teach-kids-phone-safety

Image by: Kohei314 – Flickr

Sixty per cent of children take their mobile phones to school some or all of the timeSource: http://news.ninemsn.com.au/national/8211585/schools-should-teach-kids-phone-safety

Image by: Larry Darling – Flickr

43 per cent of children have internet access on their mobile phonesSource: http://news.ninemsn.com.au/national/8211585/schools-should-teach-kids-phone-safety

Image by: 3dom – Flickr

With all these children on their

phones all day are they being

safe?

Image by: beana_cheese – Flickr

With the rush of new technology and a way for children to communicate to a number of people all at once can any parent be sure that their child is being safe?

Image by: livableregion – Flickr

In regards to safety, whose responsibility is it to ensure children’s safety? Parents? Teachers?

Image by: David Chow – Flickr

9 out of 10 parents believe their kids should be taught about mobile phone and

internet safety in schoolSource: http://news.ninemsn.com.au/national/8211585/schools-should-teach-kids-phone-safety

Image by: melystu – Flickr

More than 40 per cent of parents conceded they wouldn't know if mobile

phone bullying was an issue at their child's school.

Source: http://news.ninemsn.com.au/national/8211585/schools-should-teach-kids-phone-safety

Image by: annavanna – Flickr

90 per cent of them believed it was not their job alone to teach children about safe mobile phone behaviour and that schools should get involved.Source: http://news.ninemsn.com.au/national/8211585/schools-should-teach-kids-phone-safety

Image by: Kentucky Country Day – Flickr

There are dangers involved with technology with strangers able to talk to children on social media sites to peers bullying each other online.

The benefits involved with children using technology are productivity and creativity.

Image by: Rachel – Flickr

Parents need to keep an eye on their children’s social media sites, on their texts, and on what they’re doing with technology.

Image by: Jay Grandin – Flickr

The question of is there such a thing as too young when it comes to technology can not be answered by itself as all the additional questions need to be

considered as well.

Image by: Marcus Ramberg – Flickr