Outdoor Play versus Electronics

kfwilson6 · Post by **kfwilson6** » 26 Jul 2018, 18:50

Raya raymond wrote: ↑26 Jul 2018, 06:40 I think outdoor play is very healthy for children and Tony is a good example to his peers and I think there's a chance this book could encourage a kid out there to embrace outdoor play. We still have to embrace the fact that electronic play is made to be addictive and is not necessarily evil.

"made to be addictive" is such a true and scary statement. The screenwriters and video game makers want their shows and games to create that addictive response in their audiences. This is such an excellent point. It makes it even harder to overcome, as a parent, a child's pull toward engaging in electronic-based entertainment.

It's just like anything some company can make money on. Don't ever touch the Coca-Cola recipe because look at how addictive just a beverage is! Addiction is the goal. Manufacturers don't care about the well-being of consumers.

kfwilson6 · Post by **kfwilson6** » 26 Jul 2018, 18:52

onixpam wrote: ↑26 Jul 2018, 15:16 Kids spent to much time with electronics and it is difficult if they see other children using some electronic device. Toni did not use them so it is some kind of advice to parents and children.

Friends of our readers are going to be much more influential than our dear little hero, Toni. If they see their peers enjoying electronic devices, they will want to be like them and will also want to find the same enjoyment. Hopefully parents can guide their children toward friendships that are healthy and encourage them to engage in a well-balanced set of activities.

EvaDar · Post by **EvaDar** » 27 Jul 2018, 00:35

This is such a significant problem in our culture. The neurological effects of excessive indoor screen time are worrisome. There is a program in my community that is teaching families how to learn (or relearn) how to create outdoors activities for the kids and adults. They have found that getting families outside and engaged with each other is key to getting kid outside. Also good to have role models like Toni! Good discussion.

Nma26 · Post by **Nma26** » 27 Jul 2018, 07:38

Due to improvement in technology, children spend too much time watching TV and using other electronics.It would really be great, if Toni's attitude in this book, gets them to enjoy outdoor activities.

kfwilson6 · Post by **kfwilson6** » 27 Jul 2018, 08:04

Eva Darrington wrote: ↑27 Jul 2018, 00:35 This is such a significant problem in our culture. The neurological effects of excessive indoor screen time are worrisome. There is a program in my community that is teaching families how to learn (or relearn) how to create outdoors activities for the kids and adults. They have found that getting families outside and engaged with each other is key to getting kid outside. Also good to have role models like Toni! Good discussion.

Eva, that sounds like such a wonderful program. I think if parents, teachers, and caregivers are concerned about the issue, it isn't too hard to find interactive activities for children. There are plenty of outdoor activities. My brothers and I had all sorts of things we would do growing up, even if it was just to turn on the sprinkler in the summer and run through it! There are also plenty of indoor activities in a wide range of areas. I recently discovered that Home Depot provides short "building" sessions for kids and each session is sort of an arts and crafts thing. I think that is so great.

kfwilson6 · Post by **kfwilson6** » 27 Jul 2018, 08:07

Nma26 wrote: ↑27 Jul 2018, 07:38 Due to improvement in technology, children spend too much time watching TV and using other electronics.It would really be great, if Toni's attitude in this book, gets them to enjoy outdoor activities.

Those electronics companies are always making their products better to hook more people into using them and using them for longer periods of time. If we truly look at our own behaviors, I'm sure there is at least one electronic device or electronic-based activity that each of us is addicted to. Even if we don't want to be attached to technology, it's hard to avoid. I have a job that requires the majority of 8 hours at work spent on a computer. It is really hard on my eyes. I can't imagine the effects that has that aren't even obvious to me. Some of the side effects of too much screen time are starting to be discovered by researchers. I'm sure it's not going to look good in the end.

EvaDar · Post by **EvaDar** » 27 Jul 2018, 11:04

kfwilson6 wrote: ↑27 Jul 2018, 08:04 There are plenty of outdoor activities. My brothers and I had all sorts of things we would do growing up, even if it was just to turn on the sprinkler in the summer and run through it! There are also plenty of indoor activities in a wide range of areas. I recently discovered that Home Depot provides short "building" sessions for kids and each session is sort of an arts and crafts thing. I think that is so great.

I know! We would run through sprinklers, climb trees, make tree houses, have scavenger hunts. It was a blast. Kids just don't know what they are missing. Wow, I sound old.

Thanks for the discussion.

Amy+++ · Post by **Amy+++** » 27 Jul 2018, 11:10

I think it's good that Toni didn't play video games or watch TV. When I was little I was outside all the time. Then I got older and started playing video games a lot. Now, I don't really do a whole lot of both, I am either cleaning or reading books. I like to think that some kids will grow out of playing games or watching too much tv and find a better use of their time. If little Toni can have fun cleaning and just being a normal kid then, kids of today can too.

dbulkley · Post by **dbulkley** » 27 Jul 2018, 12:21

Yes in today’s age too many kids are glued to phones or tablets or headphones for entertainment. Back in the day this was completely different. Hopefully there’s some research out there that can help prove the benefits of avoiding electronic devices.

Miercoles · Post by **Miercoles** » 27 Jul 2018, 14:03

It's good to encourage children to get outside, interact with other children, and get some physical activity. Electronics have become the unpaid babysitter in too many homes, and kids often grow up with a sense of loneliness and inability to function socially when they spend too much time on their electronic devices.

kfwilson6 · Post by **kfwilson6** » 27 Jul 2018, 15:04

Miercoles wrote: ↑27 Jul 2018, 14:03 It's good to encourage children to get outside, interact with other children, and get some physical activity. Electronics have become the unpaid babysitter in too many homes, and kids often grow up with a sense of loneliness and inability to function socially when they spend too much time on their electronic devices.

I didn't even think about the loneliness factor as I kept seeing it from the kids are addicted to electronics standpoint. Your point is definitely valid though. Kids may not even want to play on their electronic devices but mom/dad/caregiver are trying to get them to occupy themselves.

taffylee81 · Post by **taffylee81** » 27 Jul 2018, 22:43

Yes I think kids spend too much time on devices, and watching tv. Whilst my 2yo spends a lot of time inside he has lots of cars, blocks and the like to play with and build things. When it’s nice enough to go outside he loves it and loves playing in the sand and on bikes. It can be so easy to just pop the kids in front of the tv, especially when you’re busy, but they have so much more fun outside or using their imaginations.

dhomespot · Post by **dhomespot** » 27 Jul 2018, 23:39

I am a firm believer in having my grand babies spend as much time outside as much as safety allows. If they are stuck in doors, they get 30 minutes of electronics, 30 minutes television, and the rest of the time, we find ways to use their imaginations.

ashpres12 · Post by **ashpres12** » 28 Jul 2018, 00:52

Yes, children these days are very technology dependent. It is like going outside and playing is a crazy idea. When my daughter is old enough, I will make sure she plays outside (weather permitting of course). Technology has a time and place and it should not be a substitute for imagination and interaction with others.

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ashpres12 · Post by **ashpres12** » 28 Jul 2018, 00:58

kfwilson6 wrote: ↑27 Jul 2018, 15:04
Miercoles wrote: ↑27 Jul 2018, 14:03 It's good to encourage children to get outside, interact with other children, and get some physical activity. Electronics have become the unpaid babysitter in too many homes, and kids often grow up with a sense of loneliness and inability to function socially when they spend too much time on their electronic devices.
I didn't even think about the loneliness factor as I kept seeing it from the kids are addicted to electronics standpoint. Your point is definitely valid though. Kids may not even want to play on their electronic devices but mom/dad/caregiver are trying to get them to occupy themselves.

I agree that there are children out there who don't want to spend all their time on electronics but are forced to because it keeps them quiet and out the adults way. If the children are big enough to play outside then let them and check on them every once in a while. In today's society, there needs to be a balance of technology and play time. I know when my little one is old enough, I will be doing a balance to keep thing on a level playing field.