My definition of a screen junkie is someone who is not only always on the phone, iPad and notebook writing and checking messages and social media sites during the day but also sleeps with them.  They surround a screen junkie  24/7. 

In defence of these electronic tools  they are a great form of  communication.   Sharing photos, messages, posts  and opinions with friends on FB and Instagram is a lot of fun.  A lot of my friends live a distance away so I use my iPhone and Mac a great deal. I really like using my phone and  I write posts on Steemit everyday.  Does this make me a screen junkie?  I am absolutely on the continuum but my saving grace is that I don't have any electronic gear in my bedroom at night.  

But, there is no doubt that parent use of smartphones is a powerful teaching tool!  It starts early, for example dads typically photograph their babies with a smartphone as soon as they are born.  Mums snap photos once they are out of the birthing room.   Just imagine the number of photos that are taken off little children under the age of 5 years, they learn to smile and pose very early on.   

Children adopt the mannerisms, the attitudes and the values of parents. So it makes perfect sense that they easily learn about technology - they are born into the 'new age' technology world welcomed with snapping   smartphones and iPads. I see toddlers put the phones to their ears and pretend to talk, I hear how 3 year olds press buttons managing to call interstate numbers.  They also want to chat with grandmothers. Their little fingers delicately scroll through photos and can expertly enlarge them.  

Technology has both a good and bad for kids. iPhones and iPads are great for educational games, songs, and video clips  While they are effective learning tools, it is essential that screen time is strictly monitored.  It is also a must that all children are exposed to play, books and social face-to-face talking for good all rounded development to occur.   It is recommended that a new born is not introduced to any screen time or TV until they are at least 3 months old.  

But the downside is that babies, toddlers and little children are always watching mums and dads on their phones during the day, when they are playing, eating and watching TV.  

Yes, I believe that screen junkie parents create screen junkie kids. 

The choices you make is up to you but because children are still developing and growing, they will always need adult help  with technology communication just think about when you decide to give a smartphone and iPad to your child.  Children under the age of 10 years are already hooked to their phones and in some cases already registered with fb.

Children need sensible parents, they rely on parents to monitor their phone use and help with developing adequate face-to-face communication and socials skills.  They also need help with the trap of phone distraction!   Because, children who check their phones when studying are easily distracted.  It is a big trap!

All is not bad, I know that that the motivating reason for parents buying phones is a safety one and I know that there are parents who heavily monitor their kids use of the phone.  

You may be reading this post saying thank you for the reminders of the pros and cons of phone use, you may be saying I don't see a problem in my child's use of the phone or you may not have any electronics in your house at all.  We all have choices but remember rights and responsibilities go together.  


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Love and blessings


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Cheers and thank you for reading


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