With the Holiday shopping season in full swing, parents are finding themselves under pressure to purchase all kinds of hi-tech toys that they could have never imagined would exist back when they were children - and a talking Barbie was maybe the most advanced toy you could find.
We make this assumption that advancements in technology are always a good thing -- making our lives more interesting, fun, educational; allowing us to "save" time on tasks that used to require more effort...
There is a techno culture that pushes us to think that our kids need more and better gadgets to be happy, successful and smart.
But take note - Buyer Beware! Do not buy blindly.
Parents are listening to their kids, who are often far more technology savvy and buying up Sony PlayStations, Microsoft Xbox 360, Sony PlayStation Portable and Nintendo DS consoles and handhelds.
These are all impressive devices and the multitude of games available include incredible graphics and intricate story plots.
Its easy to get sucked into the attraction.
But you need to know what you are giving your child and to teach them to use these devices responsibly:
The trend is toward everything being Internet connected and wireless, meaning kids no longer will need to rely on your home Internet connection and they will be using the Internet from almost anywhere they are at anytime.
This presents more of a challenge to parents and it is important to get up to speed with the technology - if you plan to provide it to your children.
We make this assumption that advancements in technology are always a good thing -- making our lives more interesting, fun, educational; allowing us to "save" time on tasks that used to require more effort...
There is a techno culture that pushes us to think that our kids need more and better gadgets to be happy, successful and smart.
But take note - Buyer Beware! Do not buy blindly.
Parents are listening to their kids, who are often far more technology savvy and buying up Sony PlayStations, Microsoft Xbox 360, Sony PlayStation Portable and Nintendo DS consoles and handhelds.
These are all impressive devices and the multitude of games available include incredible graphics and intricate story plots.
Its easy to get sucked into the attraction.
But you need to know what you are giving your child and to teach them to use these devices responsibly:
- Many of the new gaming devices allow users to surf the Web over Wi-Fi connections - now commonly found in coffee shops, restaurants and even in certain towns.
- Sony PSPs can connect to other Sony PSPs within a short distance and kids will be taking them to malls, for example, and connect with people they don't know at the other side of the mall.
It's no different than initiating contact with strangers via the Internet -- the same risks exist. - Further, the kinds of games available vary -- from the good, fun stuff that you expect your kids to be playing - to the adult-oriented and violent games that are completely inappropriate.
The trend is toward everything being Internet connected and wireless, meaning kids no longer will need to rely on your home Internet connection and they will be using the Internet from almost anywhere they are at anytime.
This presents more of a challenge to parents and it is important to get up to speed with the technology - if you plan to provide it to your children.