Emerging Media
Emerging media such as apps on touch screen devices like tablets and smart phones are becoming more commonplace in the United States. With these devices comes a growing market for e-books, apps, and other interactive media geared specifically for children.
These new media types often consist of some combination of print, Internet, and video elements discussed elsewhere on this website. Public discourse about apps is generally positive, and emphasizes choice and parental guidance. However, some discourse warns against excessive tablet and smart phone use among children, especially for children two years old and younger.
These new media types often consist of some combination of print, Internet, and video elements discussed elsewhere on this website. Public discourse about apps is generally positive, and emphasizes choice and parental guidance. However, some discourse warns against excessive tablet and smart phone use among children, especially for children two years old and younger.
Problems often focused on associated with tablet usage
- Young children shouldn’t be exposed to “screens” - American Association of Pediatrics often cited
- Studies are not often cited, because they don't exist yet
- Psychology Today - skip the tablets
Several articles, including one from Psychology Today discuss a recommendation given by the American Association of Pediatrics that the viewing of “screens” by children under two years old should be severely limited or completely eliminated. This study focuses on television and other video based communication, but could be applied to video based tablet use as well. Development is crucial during this time in a child’s life, and tablets are not as beneficial as other tactile, three dimensional activities. Communication development is also important during this time, and if tablet time replaces human contact, it can be a problem. Even simple e-textbooks read on a tablet can cause disrupted sleeping patterns for very young users due to backlit screens (Psychology Today).
Positive aspects discussed
· Educational Apps
· Benefits for those with disabilites discussed
· Emphasis on parental involvement
When you Google “children’s apps” app choosing tips and top ten lists of apps appear. Most articles are positive about apps and children, as long as parents are choosy and involved with app purchasing. Although serious laboratory studies seem to be lacking, various news websites and blogs such as TeachThought and Disability Network cite tablets and certain apps that can help children with learning disabilities or that are just struggling in a certain subject.
Tablets and other touch screen devices are geared towards interactivity, unlike television and print, and unlike computers multi-touch features of tablets allow objects to be manipulated on screen unlike in the past (McLester). 3-D models of the solar system, for instance, allow children to more readily understand the relationship between planets.
· Benefits for those with disabilites discussed
· Emphasis on parental involvement
When you Google “children’s apps” app choosing tips and top ten lists of apps appear. Most articles are positive about apps and children, as long as parents are choosy and involved with app purchasing. Although serious laboratory studies seem to be lacking, various news websites and blogs such as TeachThought and Disability Network cite tablets and certain apps that can help children with learning disabilities or that are just struggling in a certain subject.
Tablets and other touch screen devices are geared towards interactivity, unlike television and print, and unlike computers multi-touch features of tablets allow objects to be manipulated on screen unlike in the past (McLester). 3-D models of the solar system, for instance, allow children to more readily understand the relationship between planets.
Other Thoughts
- Timing of articles coincide with the advent of the iPad, and fade out
- Wishy-washy - Because there just isn't that much out there