December 7th 2024.
Do we really need to rely on apps for homework? As I was guiding my seven-year-old son, Leo, through his workout routine, I couldn't help but think how absurd it was. This is something we typically only do after he's been playing video games for hours and needs to calm down from the excitement. But lately, I find myself having to use this technique after he spends just 30 minutes practicing his times tables on an educational app.
It's not that he enjoys math, it's the fast-paced and addictive nature of the app that gets him all riled up. And as a parent, it makes me wonder, do we really need to do homework on an app? With the rise of technology, apps have become an essential part of our daily lives. Even at my son's school, parents are required to use apps for everything from reporting absences to paying for school activities.
But it's not just parents who are affected by this digitalization. If you don't have the app, you risk missing out on important information. Our children are growing up in a heavily digitalized world where apps and screens are a constant presence. Leo already has three different apps for his homework, each with timers and a competitive element that pits him against his peers.
I understand that with the pandemic, schools have had to adapt to online learning, and it may seem convenient to assign homework through apps. It takes some of the burden off teachers and may even make homework more interesting for some kids. Plus, it's more environmentally friendly. But at what cost? We can't be surprised when our children become dependent on smartphones when we're constantly telling them to limit their screen time and be screen-free as much as possible.
We can't have it both ways. We can't call for a ban on smartphones for children while also making it impossible for them to complete their schoolwork without using an app. As a parent, I wholeheartedly agree that we need to address smartphone addictions, especially when it comes to social media, which often has a minimum age requirement that is too low. But we can't expect this issue to resolve itself if we're giving mixed messages.
In our household, we do have limits on screen time, especially when it comes to gaming and TV. My 11-year-old daughter even has a daily limit on her smartphone before it locks for the night. But even with these restrictions, we can't be too strict. If we count the time spent using apps for schoolwork, their screen time limit would be used up in no time, and our kids deserve to have downtime too.
Maybe it's because I belong to the generation that learned times tables by repetition instead of using an app, but I am skeptical about the need for technology in this aspect of education. However, I can't deny that Leo's obsession with completing his sums in record time has actually helped him memorize them all. So while I may not be thrilled about the use of apps for homework, I can't argue with the results. But as a general rule, I believe that homework, especially for young children, should be offline.
Apps and the online world are here to stay, that's for sure. And while it's easy to call for a ban on them, the reality is that our children have to learn to navigate life in a digital world. So it's up to us, the adults, to set strict boundaries around screen and app usage, starting with giving them a break from online homework. After all, our children's mental and emotional well-being should always come first.
Do you have a similar experience to share? We'd love to hear from you. Email us at James.email and let us know your thoughts. Don't forget to leave a comment below and share your views on this topic.
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