Everywhere you look, you see someone busy on their cellphone, laptop or tablet. It’s no surprise that texting while driving is now the leading cause of death among teenagers, surpassing drinking and driving. A new study shows that the love for technology is starting at even a younger age because many children below five years old are being left alone with just their mobile devices.
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According to a survey by Common Sense Media, 72% of children 8 years old and younger used a mobile device in 2013. The survey, which included 350 parents, reported allowing their children 6 months to 4 years old play with mobile devices while they did housework and 65% said they gave their child a mobile device in public, so they could calm down.
Experts recommend spending as much time as possible with your children because the sooner you start, the easier it is to maintain it. Parents have to remember that children learn from watching their parents. If they see you constantly on your phone and ignoring them, then they will want to do the same. Instead of being on your phone, schedule some unplugged play where you spend time with your kids and don’t use your cell phone or tablet as a pacifier to calm them down when they’re irritable.
Also, it’s important to monitor what your child watches. The majority of the parents surveyed explained that their children watched videos or used apps. There are educational apps that help teach young children about math and the alphabet, so consider monitoring and engaging with your child to learn something from their mobile usage.
It’s a difficult thing to do and most parents are using their mobile devices to calm their children down or keep them entertained and out of their way. It’s important to spend time with your children and make sure that they do fun activities, such as playing, running and using their imagination.
NEXT: The Talk: The Birds, The Bees and The Dangers of Technology