Tried and Tested Apps Recommended by Parents


Abacus for Kids App is available FREE on iTunes.


Maths Rockx App is available FREE on iTunes


Squeebles Apps are available to buy on iTunes.


Visit www.pcadvisor.co.uk/ test-centre/tablets/9-best-kids- tablets-2016-uk-3378548/ for a list of the 9 Best Tablets for Children


Taking the Tablet


Earlier this year newspapers reported the ‘drug-like’ qualities of Tablets and other electronic devices. A small study in France found that letting children aged 4-10 play on a Tablet prior to having surgery was as effective at calming them as a sedative.


However 5 year old children who spend three hours a day or more watching television, playing video games, or on the internet are more likely to be among those with emotional or behavioural difficulties. Research from the Growing Up in Ireland 2013 project showed that 18% of the children who spent the greatest amount of time on electronics displayed such behavioural problems compared to 10% of children with the lowest levels of “screen time”.


This finding reflects international research which suggests that prolonged screen time can affect child development, even when the content is suitable for young children. On average, the research showed that 58% of five-year-olds spent less than two hours in front of a screen on a weekday but 14% recorded more than three hours of screen time.


There is little doubt that technology and technology usage causes friction in many homes. As parents we need to encourage our children towards healthy use of Tablets and other electronic devices. First and foremost, putting a time cap in place is essential. The American Academy of Paediatrics (AAP) recommend that children spend no more than two hours on screens and that time be spent with ‘quality content.’ But what exactly is ‘quality content’?


There are plenty of Apps available claiming to be educational but there is, at present, no quality control. If you are unsure what exactly an App is then ask an 8-year-old. Then go on to www.internetmatters.org - a website that is specifically dedicated to keeping children safe online, and check out their ‘Parents’ Guide to Apps’.


There are a few simple steps parents can take when purchasing Apps for kids. The first and easiest is to ask around. This is how I found out about Squeebles. There are various different Squeebles Apps (all available on iTunes) that cover spelling, times tables and other maths challenges. There is also the opportunity to purchase a bundle that covers all of the above. The games are interactive and fun. If your child gets spellings every week you can tailor-make a test on the App to cover them. In a similar vein parenting web pages are a good place to ask.


Safety is also a big issue when children are allowed onto electronic devices as these days most of them connect to the internet. Parenting experts now advise that simply blocking is not enough while the advantage of a specially designed kids’ tablet include a ‘safe’ web browser (or no internet access) and games and preloaded apps appropriate for kids. The issue is that while younger children embrace ‘kids’ Tablets’, children over 7 tend to dismiss them as ‘babyish’ and want something more grown up, or certainly more grown up looking. The iPad is still very much coveted by children but as experts point out they “don’t have great parental controls” and are “quite fragile.”


The main problem with blocking is that free Wi-Fi is now the norm and while you can block certain content at home it’s not always blocked publicly. Therefore, the parenting gurus say, you should discuss with your child the reasons why you want to restrict their access. This isn’t an easy conversation to have but it is a vital one.


6 Primary Times WINTER ISSUE


1 Amazon Fire 2 Amazon Fire HD6 3 Kurio Tab 2 4 Amazon Fire HD 8 5 LeapFrog Epic 6 LeapFrog LeapPad Platinum 7 iPad Mini 2 8 LeapFrog3 9 LeapPad Ultra XDi Safe Surfing


There are a few simple rules parents should follow to try to keep electronic use healthy and safe.


1 Talk to your child about electronic devices and the internet. Explain to them that the internet is not always a safe place.


2 Do not let your child download anything without checking with you first. This isn’t just about their safety but about ensuring you don’t end up paying a massive unforeseen bill.


3 Check your child’s online activity.


4 Set time limits for screen time and, most importantly, stick to them.


5 Do not allow any electronic devices at the dinner table and this includes your own tablet and mobile phone!


6 Turn the Wi-Fi off at night.


7 Offset screen time by Green Time. Green Time is the fashionable way of saying ‘go outdoors’.


For further tips visit www. cybersafeireland.org or www. webwise.ie


Anne Marie Scanlon for Primary Times


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