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AIBU?

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Original poster

To think CBeebies should ease off encouraging our kids to use tablets, smartphones etc

61 replies

LightsOnNotIn · 01/10/2013 08:12

Cbeebies regularly encourages children to use computers, in whatever form. Children can use apps, the website, games, and of course, watch again/on demand. My son is 3.5 and so far he isn't pestering me to get a tablet, or to give him my phone... but it will come. He watches TV for 30 mins a day. I don't want him to 'have more screen time'. Yes it's down to me to say no, and I find this easy to do, but the adverts normalise the use of screens - why should it be normal? I want him to be interacting with family and friends, not monosyllabic and getting hooked on screens.

OP posts:
QueenofKelsingra · 01/10/2013 08:17

unfortunately screens/tablets/smartphones are the way of the world and our DC need to be able to use them.

In an ideal world my kids wouldn't have these gadgets and would spend all their time outside climbing trees and making mud pies (i would quite like to be in the 1950s....) but the reality is, even though I have the power atm to make this the case, all I would do is set them up for being behind their peers at school.

The key is balance, allow screen time, teach them how to use the modern gadgets but make sure they get plenty of 'old school' play alongside it. it is important they learn how to be safe on the technology before peer pressure kicks in and it is our responsibility to teach them this.

it sucks, I don't like it, but I want my kids to succeed so I will do my best to balance their time to ensure the best of both worlds for them.

Sparklymommy · 01/10/2013 08:17

Think you are being a Teeny bit unreasonable. The use of IT and different media is going to be a huge part of our children's lives. The idea o getting them used to it from a young age makes sense to me.

Having said that, my children certainly didn't have access to tablets etc at 3.5years. My 7 year old recently had an android tablet for his birthday, and I do restrict its use. He is very good at using it and it engages him in a range of educational activities. Yes, he still has some workbooks and loves doing other things too. It's about moderation I think.

HeySoulSister · 01/10/2013 08:24

Yabu

They are widely used in school now, along with pens,pencils,books etc. would you want to limit books as well? And expect cbeebies to stop using those??

3birthdaybunnies · 01/10/2013 08:26

I don't agree with advertising in any form to children, but you will need to loosen up on using computers. I got a wake up call when pfb nursery report at 3.5yrs said she was behind average - we didn't let her use the computer at all. Why don't you swop his 30min tv time one day for 30min on cbeebies website. Alphablocks is fun and educational and more interactive than sitting watching tv. In reception they will start having it lessons.

Jammyforeigner · 01/10/2013 08:30

DD 2 can turn on the IPad, knows where her apps are, all of which are educational and age appropriate.
I can't see the problem tbh. It's the way of the future and restricting computer/tablet use will only be to their detriment. I don't think there many jobs out there today where IT skills aren't necessary.
Growing up we didn't have a computer at home till I was 12. Needless to say I struggled with ICT.

Original poster
LightsOnNotIn · 01/10/2013 08:31

Good points. I don't want him to be behind his peers in the use of technology, I can't wait until he's old enough to get to grips with something like a Raspberry Pi. But I worry about how addictive smartphones and tablets are. Really, this is a worry which goes beyond children to adults as well. When we travel we don't look out of the window ... we miss the real world. But ... I will let him use ICT enough so that he's not at a disadvantage.

OP posts:
Original poster
LightsOnNotIn · 01/10/2013 08:43

3birthdaybunnies - my son doesn't use my pc so perhaps he's already behind his peers in that respect. I like the idea of swapping tv time for cbeebies web time.

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ouryve · 01/10/2013 08:46

YABU and a little paranoid. Everything is computerised, these days. Just keep on saying no if you want to limit it, but don't act as if it's going to fry your DC's brain.

3birthdaybunnies · 01/10/2013 08:55

I think that tv can be just as addictive, it is up to you to limit all of these things. It is amazing how much a child of that age can do. It is less of a baby sitter, at least at first, as you will need to help him a lot, but it doesn't sound as if you use it as a baby sitter anyway. In some ways it is easier to limit computer time as 'the laptop is too hot' 'the battery is running low'.

Try it today and let us know how you get on.

ManicMinor · 01/10/2013 08:58

I do find the number of adverts for their online games and apps a little irritating, and it does lead to my boys asking to go on the computer or ipad. I do just say no if I don't want them to.

The concern about being left behind I think is overdone - it is not hard to learn how to use a smartphone or tablet, that's how they've been designed, there's not much to learn about it! And playing games on the ipad doesn't exactly give you an advantage in pursuing a career in IT! Much better to look at Raspberry PI or equivalent when they get to the right age. I would make sure DC knew how to use a mouse before school, though, that takes a little bit of practice.

pianodoodle · 01/10/2013 09:11

I saw an advert recently aimed at older people (newspaper supplement I think) with things like "proper radio" "how a radio should look" etc... and just thought - no! That's not going to be me in forty years all stuck in the past!

Embrace the future]

pianodoodle · 01/10/2013 09:12

Posted too soon! Think all I had to add was a smiley anyway Grin

lovelychops · 01/10/2013 09:20

Read an article the other day about how children watch tv is changing. Thanks to iPads, YouTube etc. It said the bbc were trying to keep up with the changes. I think them promoting their app is their way of keeping up to date with it. They're a business after all.

vladthedisorganised · 01/10/2013 09:22

YANBU I think, because of how they do it.
There's a difference between wanting a child to know what a computer is and pushing them to 'play the CBeebies app out and about, in your house and in the car..' Hmm. I'm happier if DD is drawing, reading or, you know, out and about when out and about.

I work in IT and I agree with Manic that the concern about being left behind is really overdone. A toddler who knows how to find a completely pointless talking dog app on an iPhone is really not going to have an advantage when it comes to ICT lessons, any more than playing Grand Theft Auto helps teenagers learn to drive. The Raspberry Pi does sound a lot more useful though.

katese11 · 01/10/2013 09:25

Oh yes, they could be a bit more subtle about it! Every time that balloon comes up ds (4) says "mummy, that's on your phone!" So he knows what it means. But the app is good for his fine motor skills and his spelling do can't complain too much... better than blooming cartoonito ads!

Edendance · 01/10/2013 09:28

You are not being unreasonable, I'm 27 and am fluent enough in tech for anything I've needed to do- as are most people around my age plus many, many older people yet our childhoods weren't full of screens everywhere. Certainly at 3.5 I was not watching tv regularly let alone using a computer ever- they weren't in most homes in any form.

He will not fall behind- when he gets older he will gradually use computers more in school, at friends homes and your own house too. At 3.5 and constantly throughout his childhood he should be encouraged to play outside and use his imagination in 'toy play', read books, build dens etc. you aren't being paranoid- screens with children is a big concern and many parents don't limit it or think they 'cant'. So good for you.

noblegiraffe · 01/10/2013 09:31

The CBeebies app is very good, and free.

Interactive screen time in the form of playing educational games is a very different kettle of fish to passive screen time of TV watching. All the research about restricting screen time comes from looking at passive viewing. You'd definitely be better to switch TV for computer.

Original poster
LightsOnNotIn · 01/10/2013 09:35

I think those of us who aren't thrilled with the idea of our children using computers, in their various guises, are in the minority. Albeit this is an online discussion board, so we aren't a representative sample!

I analyse data for a living, used DOS as a student, and programming code now. I may sound like a dinosaur but I'm not. I will try out the Alpha blocks game.

Really interesting comments, thank you.

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Original poster
LightsOnNotIn · 01/10/2013 09:45

Good distinction between active (computer) and passive (tv). 30 mins tv at night is a nice wind down. If I do use an app or PC or tablet with him I think I'd have to do so well before bedtime.

I think both active and passive are addictive. When I see people using smartphones relentlessly while walking on the footpath I can't help thinking of rats in cages hitting bars to get their next fix! Smile 'do I have an email?', 'who's on FB today?', etc. Children are being sucked into that world.

OP posts:
Jammyforeigner · 01/10/2013 09:48

I don't understand why it has to be one or the other. As I said there are a lot of educational apps, books and other things available on tablets.

You could also say the same about all the plastic tat that's passed for toys these days. A lot of it doesn't encourage imaginative play etc.

We go out for walks in the forest. Play with mud. Build sand castles. Do standard puzzles, bake and sometimes DD gets half an hour on the iPad. There's this fear that's peddled about regarding technology and I just don't get it. It's not like a two yr old would be playing grand theft auto. Hmm Everything in moderation that's what I say.

Edendance · 01/10/2013 09:49

LightsOn, regardless of it appearing 'passive' tv actually wires children up quite a lot in their head. Although they may appear physically still their brains are doing a lot. It's certainly not recommended close to bedtime for that very reason. Not a problem I guess if your children have no problems regarding going to bed and sleeping but many parents who have those problems do not realise that tv within an hour of bedtime is probably causing it.

southbank · 01/10/2013 09:50

Op I'm kind of in agreement with you,although I struggle with it tbh!
The cbeebies website is excellent!Games are great and my dts really enjoy it,and I do think the educational benefit makes it a worthwhile activity.
What I do have issues with is how it can and does lead to incessant requests for 'daddy's phone,daddy's screen'
We restrict the use but I don't have the app on my phone and therefore they never want my phone,but at the weekend when daddy's here all day then they do ask for it a lot.I don't like it and dint like seeing kids sat in cafes etc on smartphones,but dp disagrees and thinks in a limited environment it's ok.
I find particularly ds can become selfish and misbehave more when he plays on the iPad etc and the tantrums when it's turned off sometimes makes me think it's mire hassle than it's worth.

Jinty64 · 01/10/2013 09:57

Ds3 (7) is 11 and 9 years younger than his older brothers. He has grown up with hand me down lap tops, tablets, ds, wii and now a phone. He will ask for my i-pad occasionally but rarely uses the other things. In fact if he takes a gee and wants to use one of then it's a great hunt to find it. I don't know if this is just his nature or if he is so used to having these things that they are just not exciting. We certainly don't need to have any time limit on them!

He quite likes watching television though.

BadSeedsAddict · 01/10/2013 09:58

Get DVDs of their favourites from the channel instead? Or, switch off the TV, get down on the floor and PLAY. It's both free, and awesome Grin

Original poster
LightsOnNotIn · 01/10/2013 10:09

badseedsaddict - couldn't agree more - but that's not quite what my OP asked.

It's good to hear that even when surrounded by ICT gadgets, they don't want to play with them all the time.

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