Post continued...

By Isabel Douglas

This week, the first public case of someone being treated for technology addiction hit the press.

A man in America, admitted to rehab for alcohol problems, was also asked to surrender his technology. On handing over his Google Glass, which he used 18 hours a day, he began experiencing withdrawal symptoms. The symptoms, he claims, are worse than the symptoms of substance abuse.

So what does this have to do with kids? Well, if technology addiction can be dangerous, it could mean everything!

Ofcom recently published a report which revealed that 1 in 3 children between the ages of 5 and 15 in the UK own their own tablets.

Gone are the days when a TV in the bedroom was the height of personal entertainment. Kids can play games, watch TV, talk to their friends – even do their homework – just about anywhere.

This comes with a lot of advantages. Tablet technology is light, portable, and comes with loads of apps and features that enable children to learn and develop skills.

But are we running the risk of creating a generation dependent on technology?

We think it’s important that children have the opportunity to learn and enjoy themselves with, and without, a computer screen. The companies we do work for – like Green’s Cakes – offer great ways to entertain kids; digital and otherwise!

Questions are being asked about how much time children should spend in front of a screen. But, if we want to keep kids engaged, we need to offer them quality options. Action is needed from companies – and marketers – to encourage more ways to learn and play in a responsible way. The debate about children and technology is not going to disappear!

For more information about the subjects I’ve mentioned in this blog, why not try the links below:

Reason why handheld devices should be banned for children under the age of 12

Google Glass user goes to rehab, diagnosed with ‘technology addiction’