Outdoor Play versus Electronics

[kfwilson6]

Kids and electronics are way out of control these days. I think parents need to be the ones to set that right but hopefully seeing a book about a kid enjoying "superhero" life without electronics helps reiterate the message.

Very much out of control. I'm glad to see so many people responding to this question and recognizing that children need to be moderated on their use of electronics.

[Awilson531]

I think yes, they do- I see loads of children around me on phones and iPads all the tome. Yes, lots of them still play outside and play with toys but there has definitely been a massive increase of children playing with devices rather than physical toys.

Absolutely. It is so hard to not take advantage of the many benefits of electronics. If a child gets tired of the toys he already has, it's not that easy just to go spend money on several new toys. But with apps, there are so many free games, children can constantly have new ones to play on to keep them occupied. The convenience is probably quite difficult for parents to ignore and not utilize, at least from time to time.

Yes! “iPad time” seems a common phrase nowadays for parents but I can see why- seems so much easier to hand your child an iPad or something similar than the alternative (playing with them? Or leaving them to bother you perhaps?)I do wonder about how it affects children’s learning and social skills though.

[amsula_2018]

Kids spend too much time on gadgets and dislikes outside doors activities. I think it is appropriate that children should be taught how important physical activities are. It does not only build up the stamina of children but it also helps them to stay healthy. Being addicted to games or social media is not good, everyone should set limit in exposure to such things. I do not also say that exposure to such electronics or technology is bad because it gives information that are essential for the current generation. I think each individual should find the balance in their daily lives of the usage of technology and being active in outdoor activities.

[WendyNorth]

Even adults struggle with addiction to electronics, gadgets, and the instant gratification that can come along with them. I think it's important for "screen time" in general to be monitored, and for children to be given other things to do, either going outside or helping with chores. Even better if there are adults setting a good example by also not giving in to the constant temptation our gadgets can bring. Sometimes I give my daughter short reading and writing assignments, or mentally-stimulating creative tasks to keep her busy and not so consumed with the desire to use electronic devices, or we spend time reading together; she reads her book I read mine. I think it's helpful and healthy to see childhood characters doing "real things" or even avoiding "screen time" in children's literature, it's good for children to see that this is still an option, despite what some of their peers may say.

[HarleenQuinzel]

I love that OP highlighted the fact that Toni didn’t use electronics! I was born in 1994 and thankfully missed the generation that grew up with easy access to technology. I remember getting my first computer at age 12 or so and found that I didn’t spend a lot of time on technology until I was roughly 14 or 15. My mother also had a rule that I wasn’t allowed a cell phone until I was 16. I think this was a good rule although all of my friends had them at age 14. I remember it being frustrating to not have one. I think there is nothing wrong with allowing children access to technology. Technology should just be limited and monitored to ensure that it offers content that allows potential growth.

[Ashiyya Tariq]

I noticed that other than playing and singing music, none of Toni's activities included any type of electronics. Toni was not listed as liking to watch tv Do you think children spend too much time using electronics instead of playing with more traditional toys like balls and jump ropes? Will this book help encourage children to play without electronics and enjoy outdoor activities? Toni was even reading his books outside.

Many children who own electronics certainly do, it's like an addiction for some of them. If unsupervised and left to their own antics they will play video games day and night or surf social media. The book is a step in the right direction but parental education and supervision is the crucial factor.

You are absolutely right, this book a educates about the importance of outdoor games. However, without parents supervision they will not transfer their aptitude from indoor to outdoor games. So parents guidance is a must.

[Ashiyya Tariq]

Kids spend too much time on gadgets and dislikes outside doors activities. I think it is appropriate that children should be taught how important physical activities are. It does not only build up the stamina of children but it also helps them to stay healthy. Being addicted to games or social media is not good, everyone should set limit in exposure to such things. I do not also say that exposure to such electronics or technology is bad because it gives information that are essential for the current generation. I think each individual should find the balance in their daily lives of the usage of technology and being active in outdoor activities.

Parents have responsibility to teach the drawbacks and advantages of electronics. Such as internet has both advantages and flaws . But it the use which makes an invention good or bad. So we should teach children the right difference.

[Ashiyya Tariq]

We live in an electronic world. Kids need to spend some time learning that since it will be their future. But, there is also so much they need to learn from the outside world. They need to spend lots of time connecting with people in the real world. So, I think a healthy combination of many activities is important.

Due to using electronics children are becoming antisocial. The generation gap is increasing rap just because of cellphones ,TV. So we need to reconsider our options to teach children how to achieve the right balance between the two.

[Ashiyya Tariq]

I think it's good that Toni didn't play video games or watch TV. When I was little I was outside all the time. Then I got older and started playing video games a lot. Now, I don't really do a whole lot of both, I am either cleaning or reading books. I like to think that some kids will grow out of playing games or watching too much tv and find a better use of their time. If little Toni can have fun cleaning and just being a normal kid then, kids of today can too.

Hmm, Toni doesn't watch TV so it's a good and explicit message of his abhorrence to indoor games. As you have told about the changing aptitude with a passage of time; it is quite natural. In childhood one has different interest but as you grow up your preferences change over time. But mind it , this too has its source in childhood.

[Ashiyya Tariq]

I love that OP highlighted the fact that Toni didn’t use electronics! I was born in 1994 and thankfully missed the generation that grew up with easy access to technology. I remember getting my first computer at age 12 or so and found that I didn’t spend a lot of time on technology until I was roughly 14 or 15. My mother also had a rule that I wasn’t allowed a cell phone until I was 16. I think this was a good rule although all of my friends had them at age 14. I remember it being frustrating to not have one. I think there is nothing wrong with allowing children access to technology. Technology should just be limited and monitored to ensure that it offers content that allows potential growth.

Accessibility is another big factor whether children use technology or not. Definitely in our youth the technology was not accessible to much extent. But Today's children are growing up with this technology, so they are much more tech-savvy. You have to define their time to make the right use of it.

[Nanig83006]

I noticed that other than playing and singing music, none of Toni's activities included any type of electronics. Toni was not listed as liking to watch tv Do you think children spend too much time using electronics instead of playing with more traditional toys like balls and jump ropes? Will this book help encourage children to play without electronics and enjoy outdoor activities? Toni was even reading his books outside.

I think this is a great topic! In my opinion, a future with electronics is inevitable for our children and their children. It's important for them to be tech savvy so they're not "left behind" with advancing technology. With that said, it is equally important for them to be active, to enjoy the outdoors, and to read physical books. The world is more than the screens we stare at. With that said, I believe it should be 50/50 of interaction with both indoor and outdoor activities. Currently, too many parents use electronics to babysit their kids, so Toni's outdoor activities serves as a great reminder that physical activity is just as good as mental stimulation alone.

[Jesse Nicolas Presgraves]

I definitely feel like kids these days are spending way too much time with electronics, but I can see why. It's so much less work for the parents to just put their kid in front of the TV, or hand them a tablet than to actually talk to them or spend time with them. I'm not saying that kids need to have NO electronics time, because some kids enjoy reading educational books or watching educational shows. I just feel like it needs to be in moderation and guided by parents to ensure it's educational and good

[kfwilson6]

I definitely feel like kids these days are spending way too much time with electronics, but I can see why. It's so much less work for the parents to just put their kid in front of the TV, or hand them a tablet than to actually talk to them or spend time with them. I'm not saying that kids need to have NO electronics time, because some kids enjoy reading educational books or watching educational shows. I just feel like it needs to be in moderation and guided by parents to ensure it's educational and good

There are many electronic programs that can serve as learning tools for children . Unfortunately, too many games and shows are not remotely educational. Some are even crude and violent. Parents take their responsibilities too lightly sometimes, forgetting that parenting IS work.

[kfwilson6]

I noticed that other than playing and singing music, none of Toni's activities included any type of electronics. Toni was not listed as liking to watch tv Do you think children spend too much time using electronics instead of playing with more traditional toys like balls and jump ropes? Will this book help encourage children to play without electronics and enjoy outdoor activities? Toni was even reading his books outside.

I think this is a great topic! In my opinion, a future with electronics is inevitable for our children and their children. It's important for them to be tech savvy so they're not "left behind" with advancing technology. With that said, it is equally important for them to be active, to enjoy the outdoors, and to read physical books. The world is more than the screens we stare at. With that said, I believe it should be 50/50 of interaction with both indoor and outdoor activities. Currently, too many parents use electronics to babysit their kids, so Toni's outdoor activities serves as a great reminder that physical activity is just as good as mental stimulation alone.

There is definitely a need to keep up especially with homework requiring the use of computers more and more. Even when kids don't want screen time, it's not always avoidable.

[kfwilson6]

Kids spend too much time on gadgets and dislikes outside doors activities. I think it is appropriate that children should be taught how important physical activities are. It does not only build up the stamina of children but it also helps them to stay healthy. Being addicted to games or social media is not good, everyone should set limit in exposure to such things. I do not also say that exposure to such electronics or technology is bad because it gives information that are essential for the current generation. I think each individual should find the balance in their daily lives of the usage of technology and being active in outdoor activities.

Outdoor and physical activities have so many benefits. What's great too is that there are so many from sports involving balls to swimming to playing on a playground to riding bikes. Kids can't say the outdoors are boring. They just need to find the right activity to amuse them.