Growing Up With Technology

A post over on CrunchGear notes that a recent study in the UK concluded that the average age at which children receive their first cell phone these days is eight years old.  I believe I was in 10th grade (2000 or 2001) when I received my first cell phone, right when I got my driver’s license — so, around age 16.

At what age will you start introducing your children to technology?  How old will they be when you give them their first cell phone?  Their first personal computer?  Their first online profile?  How will you regulate their use?

For me, I am of the opinion that starting children on technology early and responsibly is the key.  Technology will be a major part of their lives from an early age whether we like it or not, because it will be tightly integrated into all levels of education from pre-K onwards.  I want to be part of that learning experience with my children.  This is partially because I want to impart my love of technology and innovation to my kids, just like others want to impart their love of football or music or dancing.  But it is also because I want to make sure that it is me that is showing my kids how to use technology responsibly, and to teach them good habits.

I want to teach them that there’s a time to have your cell phone on (when you’re waiting to be picked up from school), and a time to turn it off or leave it in your room (dinner time).  There’s a healthy amount of time you can and should spend putzing around online every day, just like there’s a healthy amount of TV to watch every day; but I also want to make sure I teach my kids, from the beginning, to go outside and run around.  There’s a safe balance between exposing enough information in an online profile to get across your personality and interests, and giving away too much personal info.  I want to be the one to teach my kids the things I say on this blog on almost every post: moderation is key.  If I don’t do this, or don’t start early enough, then it will be my children’s peers (or other influencers) who will direct their growth.  And that may not be a very good thing.

The example I look to is that of a former professor of mine who has a young son.  One summer when I was working as a research assistant for this professor, I went to his house for dinner.  His son has been pre-briefed that I was a space geek, and was eager to show off his Lego rocket and command center for me.  When I asked him (and his dad) how he came to know so much about the space program, they replied that they sit down together almost every night and explore the NASA website together — reading about the first astronauts, watching videos of shuttle launches, interacting with 3D models of Mars rovers.  How cool (and cute) is that?

I want to be the one to introduce my son or daughter to the wonders of the Internet.  I want to be the one to see their eyes light up when they realize that a majority of the world’s information is just a few keystrokes and mouse clicks away.  And — just like I’ll sit next to them when they’re getting used to driving under their learner’s permit — I want to be the one that makes sure they know how to use it in a safe, healthy, and responsible manner.

What about you?

Image used under a Creative Commons license courtesy of Flickr user neoneddy.