Editorial: A little bit of a good thing

Exposure to technology is good for children in moderation.

There's a fine line when it comes to kids and technology use.

Computers, tablets and smart phones are such a major part of every day life now I imagine it's tricky for parents to find the right balance.

It's important for kids to know how to use them so when they get to their later years of education or join the workforce they are not disadvantaged, but we don't want to raise a generation of lazy, obese kids who live in front of screens and struggle to entertain themselves without technology.

Ironically, the thought conjures up images of the people in the movie Wall-E who drive around in electric wheelchair-type contraptions with screens permanently in front of them. I hope we never end up like that.

In the Rotorua Daily Post Weekend's 48 Hours section, reporter Dawn Picken talked to schools and families who have decided to use little or no technology.

I can see the advantages but, personally, I think teaching kids moderation is the way to go.

Digital devices are a great learning tool and I'm all for schools using them if it can aid their education, especially as they get older.

Kids need to be able to type well. It's essential for most jobs these days. They are also a great tool for research when used alongside textbooks.

It is, however, still important for kids to learn to write and read paper books.

It's in the home parents need to monitor their kids' technology use. I don't think there is anything wrong with watching TV, playing video games or playing on tablets sometimes but kids need to be encouraged to get outside or read a book or play with friends. They need to spend time drawing and playing sports and using their imagination - making parachutes for their figurines and throwing them off the trampoline or building forts in the lounge.

I don't have kids of my own yet but putting a time limit on the amount of time they are allowed to spend on digital devices seems to me like the way to go. Kids need to be able to use technology in moderation.