Technology for kids 101: An introduction

When our eldest son was a baby, it was not uncommon to see him or his contemporaries mouthing a set of car keys while their parents juggled groceries into a car boot or endured the long wait in the doctor’s surgery. Only 6 years on, it’s now more common to see babies and toddlers playing with their parent’s smartphone or tablet. But instead of putting it in their mouth, they are adeptly swiping and clicking like the digital natives that they are.

There was some debate over what to call this post; introducing kids to technology seems a little odd. In our Wifi enabled world, most kids have discovered technology themselves by the time they reach their first birthday. Is an introduction to technology really necessary?

Technology is a tricky area for many parents, because we don’t have our own childhoods to refer to. The tried and true “What would my parents have done?” doesn’t hold, because these devices are so recent, and so prevalent. Just because our children can grab our digital devices and figure it out for themselves, doesn’t mean they fully understand what they are doing. In order to make the most of it as a learning experience, they need a guide. They need you, their parent.

There are many considerations when it comes to enabling your children:

  • How much time does my child spend on technology?
  • Is the content appropriate?
  • What are they learning (if anything)?
  • How much screen time are they clocking up? This is further complicated by the sheer number and variety of screens available to children: smartphones, laptops, tablets – we all know from our own experience these devices can be habit-forming.


Digital devices also hold some appeal as a useful distraction device. Smartphones and tablets don’t make any mess. They can also act as a digital babysitter, keeping kids calm and amused while we finish off pressing tasks or endure long trips. No matter your family’s approach, mindful use is key.

Weighing up the pros and cons, there are three main things parents need to be mindful of when allowing their young child access to technology: Quality, Supervision and Limits.

What parents need to be mindful of with technology

Choose quality over quantity

Be particular about the kind of apps available to your child; just as you would read the label before choosing a particular cereal or snack food, read up on apps which value add to your child’s learning. If your child is a pre-schooler, for example, search for apps that focus on colour, number and letter recognition to build on their current learning. If your child is school aged, ask their classroom teacher or IT teacher which apps are appropriate for their year level.

For a fabulous selection of apps, visit this 50 Best list from The Guardian. There are some wonderful, well-designed apps such as Barefoot World Atlas, Little Fox Music Box and Morton Subotnick’s Pitch Painter that offer unique experiences for the user (young or old).


Would you let your toddler roam free in the supermarket? Just as your child needs to be supervised in an adult environment, the same is true for online and digital spaces. The best way to teach them to use technology is to log on together.

Sit with your child as they explore and play, just as you would when they play with dough, read a story or construct a puzzle. Talk them through it, ask questions which open up their curiosity and steer them away from mindless clicking.

Set limits… and stick with them

Paediatricians recommend children over 2 have no more than 2 hours of screen time (including television, computers and all other digital devices). Children under 2 don’t need any screen time.

Limits are important, particularly as these devices often come with cravings. One might liken this technology to sugar; a little is OK, but if we have too much, we just want more. Moderation is key.

Likewise, if your own smart phone is a constant companion, trying to teach your child about moderate technology use will be very difficult. Try to lead by example and ensure there are times of the day when your phone is tucked into your bag or back pocket and is out of sight.

If your child wants to play on the tablet or smartphone all the time, try storing them out of plain sight. If your child can’t see it, they’re less likely to ask for it. Reserve screen time for when you are available to sit with them and make the most of the experience.


How do you approach technology in your house?


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