Get young kids 'away from phones, tablets'

[toofarnorth]

Just 5 days ago I asked my TW where she would like to go to eat. Central Plaza for Japanese food .   Opposite us in the Japanese restaurant a couple were sitting with food in front of them , she sat with a gizmo next to her , he could of not heard her had she spoken as his ears were plugged into phones.  Why oh why do they do this , they go out together then ignore each other , or is it me living in the past  ?

[Odysseus123]

1 hour ago, jak2002003 said:

Thanks for that music video... that is how I feel sometimes..  Often I am with a group of people, say out for a meal, and they will be poking away at their phones most of the time.. and not talking to each other or noticing anything going on around them.  I then look around and see other people, families and kids on other table all doing the same.

 

The one time it makes me feel sad is when I see a young couple out for a romantic meal or a coffee in a nice place.. and they are just sitting opposite each other eyes on their phones... when surely that time in their life is one of the best to be interacting with your partner... (they are probably swiping through hundreds of photos on some dating apps looking for the next 'better' boyfriend as people seem to never appreciate or be happy with what they have'.  I hate how society has become.

 

 

Thank you for your reply.The video was sent to me by an American friend after I had described to him a night out with approx. 24 middle class Thai.After gorging on the food (it was gorging) they then produced their mobile phones as did their adolescent offspring and that was about it for the rest of the evening.The only conversation after that was basically big noting themselves about their current model of phone or their 731 Facebook friends.At no time did I observe the teenagers being included or drawn into the conversation-just left to noodle away...

 

God help the little ones..

 

Of course,I killed the conversation dead when I produced my Nokia Thomas Alva Edison 1904 model for their inspection.

 

 

Sent from my Marconi using Morse code and vacuum tubes.

Edited May 29, 2017 by Odysseus123
clarity.

[ben2talk]

52 minutes ago, claffey said:

It teaches kid to scream and cry like george! My son started copying him so we switched to Octonauts where he learns all about marine life...

I see, so you know what 'Peppa Pig' taught your son because you found an article about how it teaches him?

 

My son watches it too, but he recognises George as being younger than himself and behaves a little more positively. We can discuss the character behaviour, and he tells me whether he things some things are 'good' or 'bad' or 'just fun, don't be serious'.

 

Octonauts is good, Nina's good too - and Sooty is quite brilliant. Not everything must be educational in the way that we appreciate.

 

While we're at it, I have 'Fun with Phonics' and 'Alphablocks' which helps him practice and show off his reading skill (he pauses it and reads the words before they're sounded out on screen) as well as 'Numtums', Bedtime stories are good - with subtitles you can turn the sound down - Love Peppa Pig, Sarah & Duck, Teletubbies was good, Topsy and Tim... 

 

The main purpose of the computer and screen time in our house is to establish an English speaking environment. He's growing up speaking clearer English than wot I do.

 

Thai's should perhaps be taught more about this. When I go for a casting job, he gets tablet time - sometimes he gets the other kids to watch Alphablocks with him and help teach them to read and join the fun... their parents are completely flabbergasted by something which seems totally normal in our house.

 

Edited May 29, 2017 by ben2talk

[WhizBang]

Images that change every 3 seconds (or less) adversely effect my brain too.   That is why I use adblockers and flash stoppers.

[Essaybloke]

4 hours ago, rkidlad said:

When I was a kid, Jesus was our free babysitter. Now it seems iPads, etc, are the new free babysitter. Just plonk your kid on a chair with a tablet and you get peace and quiet while you live 'your' life. 

 

People often ask why I don't have kids - I say it's because I love my free time and I'd be a selfish parent. Some people like me go out and have kids, and yet somehow I'm the odd/bad guy in society. 

 

 

I don't know if I'd want 'Jesus' as a babysitter, he's well out of my neighbourhood!    I got a feeling that would mess  with a kid's mind too but maybe in a way different from ipads, ipods, iphones etc. 

 

Maybe it's not the technology, but the way it's used. Remember when 'racy novels' and 'comic books' were the demons of the day? Or new-fangled television that would turn us all into moronic little communists? Perhaps 'regulate and control' is the real answer? That's for parents to manage of course.

 

But rest assured all of us here at the Thaivisa community love you!

[Essaybloke]

23 minutes ago, toofarnorth said:

Just 5 days ago I asked my TW where she would like to go to eat. Central Plaza for Japanese food .   Opposite us in the Japanese restaurant a couple were sitting with food in front of them , she sat with a gizmo next to her , he could of not heard her had she spoken as his ears were plugged into phones.  Why oh why do they do this , they go out together then ignore each other , or is it me living in the past  ?

Sorry mate, I was on a call. What were you saying?

[Khon Kaen Dave]

4 hours ago, rkidlad said:

When I was a kid, Jesus was our free babysitter. Now it seems iPads, etc, are the new free babysitter. Just plonk your kid on a chair with a tablet and you get peace and quiet while you live 'your' life. 

 

People often ask why I don't have kids - I say it's because I love my free time and I'd be a selfish parent. Some people like me go out and have kids, and yet somehow I'm the odd/bad guy in society. 

 

 

You are not the odd/bad guy, in this scenario. I know many of my old friends, who chose to remain Child free. Many of them had happy and well, traveled marriages. Only 1 or two couples, regretted it in later years. You have made the correct choice for you in your life. Dont let other people, who have chosen the "normality' path, make you feel bad.  You know what sort of parent you would make.Stick by your decision

[toofarnorth]

19 minutes ago, Essaybloke said:

Sorry mate, I was on a call. What were you saying?

Shaddup !  Or is it shat app.?

[brewsterbudgen]

It teaches kid to scream and cry like george! My son started copying him so we switched to Octonauts where he learns all about marine life...

Good point. My boy was already wailing like George before he got hooked! In any case, he prefers Paw Patrol now, although I still love PP, possibly because I identify with Daddy Pig!

[owl sees all]

From what I see Thai parents are only too pleased to keep their kids quiet and they are so not good at managing their children's 'nagging'. This is lazy parenting. As for 'tough love'; that's a whack with a coat hanger.

Edited May 29, 2017 by owl sees all

[Khon Kaen Dave]

1 minute ago, owl sees all said:

From what I see Thai parents are only too pleased to keep them quiet and they are so not good at managing their children's 'nagging'. This is lazy parenting. As for 'tough love'; that's a whack with a coat hanger.

WHAT!!! WHAT!!!!! Wack with a coat hanger??? call child services. Call child abuse, call the police, call 999, call The Thompson Twins, call the Spanish inquisition., call everybloodybody. You cant go around hitting kids with coathanger's. Oh, sorry, i forgot where we are. In that case you have every right inflict what pain you see fit upon them.No one will care. And furthermore,if you are a teacher, you will get to keep your job.

[hotchilli]

4 hours ago, Bluespunk said:

Whole article sounds like pseudo science nonsense to me.

 

Where's the research to back up these alarmist claims?

As a teacher I can vouch for the findings.
My classroom is full of robotic kids all phone junkies.

From a young age even at kindergarten up to University ages their ruled by the mobiles & social media.

Trying to conduct a lesson when kids are playing/talking with their phones (and we are forbidden to take them away or insist they're switched off) is a nightmare.

Schools also encourage use by communicating to the students via Facebook etc etc...

Having said that, outside of the classroom is just as bad, I have Thai friends who cannot start a meal without taking 20 photos & posting them on social media.

 

[richard_smith237]

iPads and Phones are wonderful inventions, they have made life so much easier, so much simpler.... 

 

However, the associated issues with the overuse of the iPad are the same as those with too much TV. Any issues are down to lazy and poor parenting. 

 

iPads are an excellent tool for kids, many of the programs and applications are highly educational, my Son has learned a lot from his iPad use. 

That said, this use needs to be managed - the iPad is there for as much our conveniences as his enjoyment. When we are in a car the iPad is an invaluable tool, so are games (iSpy etc), but the iPad usefulness is unsurpassed when traveling, especially on a flight with a child, the iPad occupies them and educates them.

 

Also in a restaurant, after the child has finished eating the iPad becomes an excellent tool - us parents can relax and enjoy our dinner, our children are occupied and relaxed instead of wanting to run around the restaurant.

 

All of that said: At home our son gets to use the iPad for a limited time, he has toys, coloring, painting, books, making cookies and cakes with mum, riding his balance bike, swimming etc etc so many activities to keep him stimulated and occupied. 

 

The iPad is a fantastic invention when not overused... So, Don't remove the iPad from your child life, simply manage its use, as with everything in life - moderation and balance.. 

[Bluespunk]

2 minutes ago, hotchilli said:

As a teacher I can vouch for the findings.
My classroom is full of robotic kids all phone junkies.

From a young age even at kindergarten up to University ages their ruled by the mobiles & social media.

Trying to conduct a lesson when kids are playing/talking with their phones (and we are forbidden to take them away or insist they're switched off) is a nightmare.

Schools also encourage use by communicating to the students via Facebook etc etc...

Having said that, outside of the classroom is just as bad, I have Thai friends who cannot start a meal without taking 20 photos & posting them on social media.

 

I'm also a teacher and we use i-pads all the time.

 

They are an excellent resource.

 

They are like anything, if used properly and appropriately they are not a danger to children. 

[ben2talk]

1 minute ago, richard_smith237 said:

Any issues are down to lazy and poor parenting. 

 

- moderation and balance.. 

It's worse than that. It's adults with our without children. It's zombies walking at 1/2 speed through the shops with blue screen-lit faces...

 

Your second comment 'moderation and balance' is the dream. But unless it becomes more socially unacceptable, then I can't see it coming... because most of the people you're appealing to will defend their own screentime to the death.

 

[owl sees all]

10 minutes ago, Bluespunk said:

I'm also a teacher and we use i-pads all the time.

 

They are an excellent resource.

 

They are like anything, if used properly and appropriately they are not a danger to children

I don't think that anyone would question you on this.

 

BUT; the two key words in your post were 'properly' and 'appropriately'!!

[55Jay]

Don't be too hard on the kiddies. 

 

 

[Bluespunk]

12 minutes ago, owl sees all said:

I don't think that anyone would question you on this.

 

BUT; the two key words in your post were 'properly' and 'appropriately'!!

Yes, of course.

 

But to say they cause ADDS or whatever it's called these days is just being alarmist.

 

Education on better use is better than mindless, headless chicken ''we're doomed'' statements.

[Grumpy Duck]

5 hours ago, AhFarangJa said:

Funny cartoon with a lot of truth to it. Unfortunately it is my experience the tables are reversed. 

[Grumpy Duck]

57 minutes ago, hotchilli said:

As a teacher I can vouch for the findings.
My classroom is full of robotic kids all phone junkies.

From a young age even at kindergarten up to University ages their ruled by the mobiles & social media.

Trying to conduct a lesson when kids are playing/talking with their phones (and we are forbidden to take them away or insist they're switched off) is a nightmare.

Schools also encourage use by communicating to the students via Facebook etc etc...

Having said that, outside of the classroom is just as bad, I have Thai friends who cannot start a meal without taking 20 photos & posting them on social media.

 

I thought that was the norm? Don't all Thais take & post photos of all their meals? I have been considering creat a new trend, before and after photos of meals. Of course one never knows for sure what meal the after photo is except for pieves of corn. 555 let that sink in for a bit. 

[Andaman Al]

3 hours ago, Dmaxdan said:

We are, at the moment permanently taking care of our two month old grandson. About three months ago he was taken to the local doctors clinic for what I was led to understand was a routine IQ test. He had a tantrum and didn't interact or complete any of the tests he was shown.
He was immediately referred to a child specialist at the local hospital, and one question we were asked was does he have a tablet. The answer to this is yes, although he has never actually interacted with it himself, we just sometimes (not everyday) let him watch educational baby cartoons on YouTube. We were told to stop this immediately. I personally don't no anything about bringing up kids, never having been a father, but this seemed a little extreme to me. In fairness, when he watches these cartoons he is totally in the zone, and barely responds if you call his name. But on the other hand.....he is clearly learning his ABC.

I did read a while back that one problem with many young children is that many can't hold a pen probably because they are not given crayons and pictures to colour in as I was when I was a kid. They just have a very strong index finger from constantly prodding a tablet.


Sent from my iPad using Thaivisa Connect

 

2 hours ago, Olik said:

 

Adults fight over phone/tablets, too while going to bed, because they neglect each other's needs when their attention is on the gadgets.

Sent from my Lenovo A7020a48 using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app
 

 

Said from your mobile and tablet devices.

 

Funny how everyone complaining is doing so on an online forum, probably ignoring their wives, kids, etc. Sat in bars with laptops not socialising but have a beer and 'surfing', saying 'it wasn't like that in my day, we went out and climbed trees' - because that is ALL we had. I am quite sure in the 1960's, the 50 plus brigade also sat there saying 'we never had footballs in my day, let alone bloody 'Johnny Sevens' and look look 'Chopper Bikes', kids today have it too bloody easy'.

 

 

[Grumpy Duck]

5 hours ago, robblok said:

Jesus is not a thing i like but the rest of your posts about having kids makes a lot of sense to me. I don't want kids either. I am a big kid myself. 

When me & my 5 siblings were young our child care consisted of German Shepherds for protection and a 12" screen B&W tv for entertainment. I can still remember when color TV was first broadcasted & the NBC peacock. I remember the first season of "The Outer Limits" and my surprise as an adult learning it was a Canadian show. I always admired Rod Serlings wisdom from the "Twilight Zone". How was I supposed to know it was a script? Babble break is now over. 555

[claffey]

14 minutes ago, Andaman Al said:

 

Said from your mobile and tablet devices.

 

Funny how everyone complaining is doing so on an online forum, probably ignoring their wives, kids, etc. Sat in bars with laptops not socialising but have a beer and 'surfing', saying 'it wasn't like that in my day, we went out and climbed trees' - because that is ALL we had. I am quite sure in the 1960's, the 50 plus brigade also sat there saying 'we never had footballs in my day, let alone bloody 'Johnny Sevens' and look look 'Chopper Bikes', kids today have it too bloody easy'.

 

 

Ironically you are also posting on his online forum too!

[Andaman Al]

1 minute ago, claffey said:

Ironically you are also posting on his online forum too!

Yup, but I have not complained about the kids or parents have I. I accept technology as a step forward in life, we have to embrace it and learn how to harness it. Trying to make kids emulate the childhoods of people 50, 60, 70 years ago is not really that effective is it.

[rwdrwdrwd]

As with most things it's a balanced approach that wins.

 

Our four year old has had access to tablets, phones etc for a couple of years now and it's working out fine. No breakage, no tantrums (in fact I can remember only one proper tantrum in his entire life, about six months ago, which I assume was testing the water to see if he got what he wanted - he didn't)

 

We used to just take devices off him / turn the tv off, now we tell him to turn it off and he does, or in the case of the PS4 (he plays Batman Lego) I set a 30 minute timer and once the alarm goes off he puts it down. It's actually great for logical thinking since it's a puzzle game (for 9 year olds) and we work out how to solve it together - often he solves the puzzles.

 

In total he gets about an hour a day of screen time, and is a well adjusted, happy and friendly kid. He's also really familiar with technology as well as traditional toys.

 

Yes it would be awful to just let him play with a tablet / watch tv 24/7 but a little restrained screen time is fine, and a good opportunity to teach self restraint.

 

Edited May 29, 2017 by rwdrwdrwd

[SunsetT]

9 hours ago, canuckamuck said:

I tried tablets with my kids, they caused fights and the kids wouldn't do anything  but play with them all day, so when the tablets broke they didn't get replaced. That was a couple of years ago already, and my kids are fine without them.

Now, what to do about the adults?

Yes, I really dont know where this smart phone addiction is leading us, with both adults and kids.....and not just in Thailand. The 'real' World around us, with it's work and responsibilities, family and relationships is being neglected more and more. I find it very disturbing; especially when, with Climate Change, we need to be paying more attention to the Environment not less.

[irwinfc]

like many here, i also despise ipad-parenting. that is absolutely lazy. i have been guilty of allowing my daughter (she was 4 years old at the time) to watch on my ipad. but for being a lazy parent... hell NO! on several occasions, i knew that barney the dinosaur on my ipad would make her stay put. i did that so i could either prepare her food, go to the bathroom, or do a few other urgent things. i could've have just left her with some toys instead, but those wouldn't have prevented her from probing the electrical outlets (she could already pry the covers by then), jumping and falling off the bed, opening the door and trip over the stairs, or another dozen things that could hurt her. so it was getting hurt VS ipad. no brainer, really.

 

with regard to the news article, i would have loved to see the evidence the good doctor has gathered to support his opinion. autism, ADHD, eye disorders, etc have been around long before smartphones and tablets. children have been throwing tantrums since.. well, since humans started making them.

[ncc1701d]

No links to sources or studies. No mention of what age group and what duration is considered too much. This article is a load of rubbish.

[wakeupplease]

Dream on Parents give these devices to kids to shut them up and keep them out of the way even 1 year olds get them

 

Not a chance in hell will this change

Edited May 29, 2017 by wakeupplease

[Jeremy50]

10 hours ago, robblok said:

Jesus is not a thing i like but the rest of your posts about having kids makes a lot of sense to me. I don't want kids either. I am a big kid myself. 

I don't have or want kids either, neither do most of the people I know, which begs the question, WHO are the people having kids, and why do they do it?