Dubai: In a recent edition of the Denmark-based Lego Club magazine, it ran an article featuring beauty tips for five-year-old girls. It gave them insights into what haircut would suit the shape of their face. It went on to give them tips on how to look more attractive. At such a young age, could being exposed to such information influence children negatively?
We speak to Gulf News reader Saadat Ullah Khan about how hard is it for him to raise a child in a time of over-exposure.
Khan, a senior accountant based in Dubai, has an 11-year-old son and he believes that advanced technology is essential.
He said: “It is essential for the development of children and we cannot persist without its usefulness. But, an effective check and balance has to be in place and smart vigilance is required at all times. We need to raise our children in such a way that they can draw their own lines between good and evil. I know it will not always work but stiff military rules may not have a positive impact on their life. It is hard, but we must let them take their decisions, with our invisible support. Secondly, today’s education system is technology-driven. An excess of something does have a negative effect, for instance, excessive use of technology will prevent children from physical activities, which is equally important for the health of the body and mind.”
When asked about the impact of over-exposure, Khan felt it had both pros and cons.
He said: “It can swing both ways and it depends on how parents control the situation. A lot of wisdom is required. The impact of technology and exposure could make them content or miserable. One cannot control its effect completely. The influence could be positive if we make an effort, using the information we gather, for the right reasons.”
As a working parent, Khan belives that technology has made life easier for his family.
He said: “To survive in a time of a high cost of living, both parents often have to work to make ends meet. It is expensive, but worth it, to spend the amount involved in obtaining technological devices. It will make one’s life easier, but at a significant cost. Technology has revolutionised communication. Parents can always be in contact with their children and watch over them, so they are never out of reach. The only thing we need to do is to be watchful about children’s addiction to these gadgets.
“It all depends on the age of the child. We need to provide clear directives, like leisure time and time for studies. Children will be children and their gadgets have to be appropriate, as per their age and requirements. We should not give them new, expensive gadgets just for the sake of exhibition and status. We need to make them understand and realise the value of the hard-earned money needed to obtain the latest gadgets. Giving them expensive things at an early age may spoil them. It seems like we should set our priorities according to our needs and educational requirements. We need to accept the fact that updated gadgets are required to compete with the world.”
