Back in the Day

I still remember the days when playing a computer involved lengthily intervals of an alien fax machine like sound.  When watching television was a battle between family members to watch a certain show at a certain time (on one of just four channels), we did not have the ability to ‘record’ live TV and watch something else!

It was oh so exciting when the extremely dodgy looking ‘video man’ would knock at our door and let us choose which videos we would like to rent, from boot of his car.  When we really pushed the boat out – we would go to the video rental store and maybe get some crisps and cola, too!

We had a video player, with a record function (which nobody knew how to operate).  We rarely used it to record, unless we used the instant record button!

My auntie gave me an old PC of hers, it had a green screen and I could write text and print, in just one font.  But I only had five sheets of (very thin) paper, so only ever printed once!  I used the green screen as a play ‘overhead projector’ when I played schools.  I would stick tracking paper over the screen and write on it in felt tip.  Just the thought of overhead projectors now, makes me chuckle.

I am amazed now at just how much we would see change, in just a few years.  Yes, technology was something in our lives, but it was by no means, our lives!

Slow Change, Yet so Fast!

 I started to notice things progressing, but very slowly.  The introduction of CDs, Sky television, Channel 5!  The pager, and then, the mobile phone!  Bit by bit, it was changing and it was easy to keep up.  There was a moment in time, when I really noticed the world had moved forward, it was when we were able to call friends and family on New Year’s Eve AND ACTUALLY GET THROUGH!!

Generation Z

 My children have taught me so much about the age of technology, having children really opens your eyes to the difference in our generations.  A health visitor once told me that when they are assessing children for fine motor control, they now look at ‘thumb control’ as many are now using mobile phones!

It really is crazy, but it is real.  My children seem to know how to use any app they download, without instructions!!  Somehow, they just know.

Technology is now a huge part of our lives and is probably one of the largest influencers in younger generations.  Even schools are using tablets and apps on a daily basis.

I think it is a fantastic thing and I try to embrace the world of technology.  I’m still very far behind the children, but I am trying.  I remember recently, we were out shopping.  I was really enjoying the music being played in one of the shops we were visiting.  I turned to Eva (my daughter) and I said, “I absolutely love all the songs they are playing in here”, Eva just gave me a look, which I knew was going to be followed with something mocking…”Mum”, she replied, “the music is coming from your handbag, please turn off your phone”!  I was so embarrassed, I’ve been walking around the shop with music blaring out of my bag!  I was no different to the teenagers playing rap music from their phones at the bus stop!  Needless to say, I check and double check now, before I leave the car!

Dealing with Technology as a Parent

There are many recommended restrictions for parents and I try to understand the dangers of technology as best I can and teach the children too.

I’m not the strictest, my children do have tablets, they do have access to the internet and they do have consoles.  I blast my children over the world of YouTube for goodness sake…

But, we have rules.  Rules are good.  They have access, but it is limited.  We try to be as sensible as we can be with the use of phones, tablets and such like.  We make sure that we live our lives in moderation.  We do some good and we do some not so good.  We will go for walks and outdoor adventures, yet, we will ask Alexa (Amazon Echo) what the weather is like first!

I don’t want technology to take over my children’s lives, but I also don’t want them to be left behind.  Having a good balance, works just fine for us.