Children see their parents on their cells phones and working on the computer and want to do the same. Children want to play with technology the same way that they want to mimic their parents getting dressed or putting on makeup. However, technology can be scary in the hands of someone who is to young to understand how the technology works. Because of young children’s interest in technology and parent’s fear that their children will use technology inappropriately many technology companies have invented child-safe alternatives.
Most younger children have cell phones. Giving your child a cell phone is a great idea in case the child needs to reach you or there is an emergency. However, children are also likely to misuse their cell phone by overly texting or giving out information that they should not. Several cell phone companies now have cell phones that parent’s can program and monitor using their own phones. Children are not allowed to add an unknown phone number unless the parents program the phone to do so. Children are also not allowed to text or use the internet unless the parent has set up the additions. Parents will be updated on everything that the child is doing while on the phone.
Parent often complain that their younger children are to rough with the computer. When children become frustrated they can damage the computer. And, parents are right, computers are rather delicate. To solve this problem computer companies have come out with computers for children. The computer screens and modems are virtually indestructable and even come in fun colors with your child’s favorite Disney characters on them. These computers have larger keys for children to learn to type and the letters are larger so children will be able to use the computer easier. The computer cannot do everything that a normal computer would. Children can surf the web but only for educational sites, and they cannot set up webpages like facebook and myspace. The computer is mostly for educational purposes.