Notes

Technology that Facilitates Back-and-forth

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) is changing its stance regarding "screen time" - or at least making its position more relevant to the full-blown digital age.



The AAP's imminent revision to its policy statement was announced in October. It acknowledges that the current screen-time guidelines are not up-to-date. They are most famous for restricting screen time for children less than 2 and for limiting screen time for older children and teens to two hours per day. Some of the advice currently in place was written before the widespread Internet use. Ari Brown, a practicing pediatric physician and chair of the AAP Children, Adolescents and Media Leadership Work Group, via email. "Our previous recommendations were developed because we had enough concerns about the development and health of children and adolescents regarding the potential dangers of using TV to inform parents about the dangers of it."



Schools are eagerly implementing technology wherever money allows as well as grade-school enrichment classes on programming software that lets children compose music using computers and numerous evidence-based stories that show that playing Minecraft can help children with autism, a belief in strict minimization is ignoring the obvious. Today's children are "digital natives." Technology is in their blood.



The AAP's new view, summarized by "Beyond turning off" How to guide parents about the use of media, sees TVs, computers and gaming systems as just tools. Based on how they are used, time spent with them can be beneficial or harmful to children.



The AAP made addressing children and media a top priority beginning in 2012, a program that culminated in the May 2015 "Growing up digital" symposium. The symposium brought together experts in child development and pediatrics, social science media, neuroscience, and education, and called attention to the increasing body of evidence supporting the potential (and potentially significant) benefits of screen-time in child and adolescent growth.



Brown reports that social scientists presented research at the symposium showing that teens can interact online with their peers. These peer connections can be "significantly valuable" and often even more supportive than real-life friendships.



The message, she says is that "there are many positive online opportunities for acceptance and support as teens build their self-esteem and identity."



Other insights provided insight into ways to increase the digital media's potential to teach. Neuroscientists, she says, presented research that showed that children as young as 2 years old learn new words just as by video chat as they do through live interaction, indicating that it's the two-way communication that's most important. Technology that allows that back-and forth will be more likely to facilitate learning.



But here's the truth is that giving a toddler an iPad and then walking away isn't going to cut it regardless of what software can do to help.



"All of our experts indicated the importance of co-engagement" Brown says. Screen time is ultimately dependent on parental involvement. Positive outcomes for young children, particularly, depend on screen time being "together time".
Extremecraft.Net


The potential for screen time to have positive for children's lives is dependent on their parents, regardless of whether they are three or thirteen. The AAP recommends that parents get involved with their children's digital activities as often as they can and to familiarize themselves with the media of their choice, even if they don’t opt to.



Parents should also lay ground rules for when, where and for how long children can be on screens, establish "screen-free zones" (hint: table at dinner) and be sure to ensure that all content is monitored. The potential benefits of screen time aren't enough to negate the possibility of (and potentially significant) dangers.



Brown says that "Parenting is not changing." "The same rules apply to all the environments your child's life is in, whether at home, school or in the tech ... Set limits, be a good role model, and know who your kids' friends are and where they are going."



Although the AAP's new policy statement regarding children and media won't come out until late in the year, Brown states that it will "acknowledge the gaps in research... take a look at the digital age as an opportunity to make the most of the possibilities and minimize risks." It will be sufficient to be universal and adaptable enough to be updated as the technology evolves.



Now That's Cool Kids with autism have their own private Minecraft server. "Autcraft" lets them reap all the developmental benefits of Minecraft without the bullying that takes place in the main Minecraft space.


Read More: https://www.extremecraft.net/