Generation Z: Three and four year olds on the iPhone!! At my grandson's (on the left) b'day party.

SteveR Loc: Michigan

Three and four year olds on the iPhone!! At my grandson's (on the left) b'day party.

Picture by my daughter

tschmath Loc: Los Angeles

SteveR wrote:

Three and four year olds on the iPhone!! At my grandson's (on the left) b'day party.

You should see my 2 1/2 year old granddaughter use her iPad. It's really amazing - and she's been using it for a year!!!!

SteveR Loc: Michigan

tschmath wrote:

You should see my 2 1/2 year old granddaughter use her iPad. It's really amazing - and she's been using it for a year!!!!

I know, give them an ipad in the backseat and they'll play until you get where you're going.

pbearperry Loc: Massachusetts

This generation will prob all come down with a neck deformity in their old age by always looking down.I hate all this electronic crap.

GeneB Loc: Chattanooga Tennessee

pbearperry wrote:

This generation will prob all come down with a neck deformity in their old age by always looking down.I hate all this electronic crap.

You may be right but I believe that technology is a good thing if not abused and relied too much. We have started to move away from thinking for ourselves and teaching our kids to do that as well. Don't be too amazed by your kids and grandkids being able to learn this at early age. They are in their prime learning years now and most of them are learning games. Give that some thought.

pbearperry Loc: Massachusetts

GeneB wrote:

You may be right but I believe that technology is a good thing if not abused and relied too much. We have started to move away from thinking for ourselves and teaching our kids to do that as well. Don't be too amazed by your kids and grandkids being able to learn this at early age. They are in their prime learning years now and most of them are learning games. Give that some thought.

I have given it thought,there is more to life than staring down at a rectangular piece of plastic and pushing buttons.

Coolcameragirl Loc: Bradenton, FL

pbearperry wrote:

I have given it thought,there is more to life than staring down at a rectangular piece of plastic and pushing buttons.

:thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:

SteveR Loc: Michigan

pbearperry wrote:

I have given it thought,there is more to life than staring down at a rectangular piece of plastic and pushing buttons.

I will say one thing about my grandson....he is go go go. He's been in t-ball and now soccer. Two year old soccer was a thing to behold (he's now four). Two weeks ago he scored 12 out of 14 goals. He will go to the playground with my wife and spend hours at a time before he runs out of energy. So, I don't begrudge him his iPad or iPhone games when he does run out of gas. They have more friends and b'day parties than I ever thought of, and have a lot of fun together. There is a group of about ten young friends that have grown up together. It helps to keep them busy and occupied. Actually, I thought the photo was a cute photo of three young people.

cogerox Loc: Northern Cal

SteveR wrote:

Three and four year olds on the iPhone!! At my grandson's (on the left) b'day party.

Wouldn't they be more aptly named the "i" generation?

SteveR Loc: Michigan

cogerox wrote:

Wouldn't they be more aptly named the "i" generation?

:thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:

Lmarc Loc: Ojojona, Honduras

GeneB wrote:

You may be right but I believe that technology is a good thing if not abused and relied too much. We have started to move away from thinking for ourselves and teaching our kids to do that as well. Don't be too amazed by your kids and grandkids being able to learn this at early age. They are in their prime learning years now and most of them are learning games. Give that some thought.

I agree, it can be a good thing. The problem comes with the phrase "if not abused and relied too much".

What will happen if they should find themselves someday in a situation where the technology is not available to them for whatever reason? I see so many high school students and graduates who have a very hard time doing even basic math with nothing but a pencil and paper. Cursive writing skills are being lost rapidly, and many have no clue how to navigate through a real library with real books. How would they fare on a typewriter without a "delete" or "enter" button? There are places where those things exist and are still used on a daily basis.

I think it's great that preschoolers can learn and use modern technology, but I believe a good grounding in the very basics is essential. Too often technology has become a lazy teacher's means to babysit students and avoid hard responsibility.

Penny MG Loc: Fresno, Texas

pbearperry wrote:

This generation will prob all come down with a neck deformity in their old age by always looking down.I hate all this electronic crap.

I don't hate ALL of it, but it seems electronic gadgets have taken over the minds of many children and adults. I do agree with the neck deformity statement. I already see patients for neck issues that complain that it is from working on computers all day long (and a few minutes break is not enough to give the body time to break the strain of sitting in one place all day long).

Penny MG Loc: Fresno, Texas

pbearperry wrote:

I have given it thought,there is more to life than staring down at a rectangular piece of plastic and pushing buttons.

Much more to life, and many are missing it. :thumbup: :thumbup:

Penny MG Loc: Fresno, Texas

SteveR wrote:

I will say one thing about my grandson....he is go... (show quote)

The photo is cute Steve. And with your grandson's other activities it sounds like he has a well rounded schedule, so sure, he can be afforded time on his electronic devices. Unfortunately its the parents that keep those devices in the children's hands most of the day that is concerning. Some would prefer this instead of having to "deal" with their children.

Penny MG Loc: Fresno, Texas

Lmarc wrote:

I agree, it can be a good thing. The problem come... (show quote)

Nicely stated and very true. During a family gathering one of the parent's told all the children to go outside and play while the adults prepared the meal. One of the kids said "play what"? There was a wonderful playground, a lake for fishing, a swimming pool and other interaction games, but this kid was not interested. He just wanted to play electronic games.