A new research by the OECD (Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development) has revealed that using computers, smartphones and tablets can be beneficial for your kids. The study showed, in particular, that children who use such devices every day develop a more efficient working memory than their peers who haven't had this kind of opportunity. And doing it at least once a month leads to higher early literacy scores.
"While the use of a digital device in and of itself may not influence a child’s outcomes, the types of activities that a child engages in while on those devices may enable the development of different skills," states the OECD report.
Interestingly, the differences in memory metrics among the kids using a digital device once a week, and those doing it hardly or never, were much less important in girls than boys. Moreover, in regards to the frequency with which a device was used, the researchers found no significant differences in the level of performance of the boys. On the other hand, kids of both genders allowed to use a digital device once a month got on average better literacy results than those who were deprived of it. Meanwhile, there was practically no difference between kids using a digital device once a month, and those doing it daily or weekly.
The findings of the OECD study suggest that the moderate use of computers, tablets and smartphones may be appropriate for five-year-olds... if it does not get in the way of other essential parent-child activities, such as having conversations and reading together. Reasonable access to digital devices a few times a month seems to be correlated to a child's early literacy development.
Picture: Alan & Mac (ChildUp.com)
