Faizel Patel, Radio Islam News – 15-01-2018

The children’s section at the giant Consumer Electronics Show (CES2018) in Las Vegas featured “innovations that enable 21st century kids to learn and play smarter than ever.”

The timing may have been unfortunate following revived concerns of the dangers of too much technology for young children.

But as the debate swirled, exhibitors sought to showcase devices aimed at health, education and entertainment for youngsters, including educational robots.

Pai Technology introduced its interactive storybooks for children, which use virtual reality and according to its website “encourages a love of reading” and offers “thoughtful stories.”

Amy Braun, marketing director for the group, acknowledged concerns about kids and technology but said these devices still have value.

“Technology is here to stay, and it’s important to expose our children to technology but in beneficial ways. We really focus on making sure that the time that we put it in front of our children is all about learning and development. And it’s not either or.”

Braun said parents must decide on appropriate limits for screen exposure and other technology usage.

Chinese startup Dragon Touch unveiled its colourful tablet computer aimed at kids between three and six years old, with educational apps and parental controls.

Dragon Touch’s Lei Guo says the tablets may be valuable but also suggested parents supervise their use.

“I really don’t want my kids to spend too much time on the internet. So that’s why we also have the parent control mode, so that the parents can set a time, for example maybe 30 minutes per day.”

Earlier this week, two large shareholders urged Apple to study whether iPhones are proving addictive for children and if intensive use of the smartphones may be bad for their mental health.

The investors cited a recent study suggesting children are negatively distracted by digital technologies in the classroom.

– AFP

Twitter: @FaizelPatel143