Tech Gadgets for Kids: When is a Child too Young for a Cell Phone, Digital Camera, and iPod?
I dislike electronic toys for children, such as so-called “educational” toys made by LeapFrog. As I have stated before, I think that children learn more from playing with wooden blocks than any battery operated gizmo can teach them, but what about other tech devices, such as iPods and digital cameras? At what is it appropriate for a child have these “grown up” toys?
Ever since my daughter could hold our camera, we have shared it with her. Last year, her grandmother decided to buy her a digital camera for her birthday. At first, we looked at several digital cameras designed for children; however, in the end, we decided to buy her a real camera that would last her many years. The quality of children’s digital cameras is poor, and we have made a commitment to giving gifts that last our children as many years as possible. As an eco mom, I won’t buy junky toy emulations of technology designed for children that will only break and end up in a landfill. As an artist and a photographer, I felt a good camera would help my young child develop her artistic expression. Her compositions amaze me, and her photographs help me view the world through her “lens”. I can see what is important or interesting to her by what she photographs.
