TIME FOR LEARNING

I don't really remember when I got my first camera, maybe after I left home. I do remember getting my first radio transistor; on my 16th birthday. I am 5th of seven siblings and some birthdays were designated presents. Watch at 13, radio at 16 piece of mums jewellery at 18 and so on. I also remember getting our first TV when I was 10. It only had two channels (we lived in the country) it wasn't allowed on during the day and dad insisted on watching the news, news and then four corners. It seemed pretty lame to me when you could read your book anywhere and there were millions of them and they weren't about the news. (I still don't watch the news or read the papers if I can help it - always sensationalised and always creating fear and disharmony amongst us).

Whilst I was reading about the different digital technologies it dawned on me (I know slow learner!) the vast difference between the generations. My children who are 8 and 9 have DSi, Wii, computer with Internet access and all its technologies, CD players, access to ipods, a digital camera each, TV with DVD player (and one for the car) and numerous electronic toys. We also have two mobile phones and a land line - they think my phone is lame as it doesn't have games on it!

A mother I was caring for the other day had two children aged 2 and 3 and she was keeping them amused by giving them her phone so they could play the games on them. They both knew how to play the games; I guess it reveals the extent to which this and coming generations are immersed in technology not as a tool but as an integral part of their lives. It also raises the question of how much of their identity is linked with the technology and what happens when it isn't available? How do they cope? Or will our future world and its citizens never be without technology? My son plays his DSi everyday and for a long as he can if allowed; My daughter would have music and stories through the iPod at every chance too. They identify with it; my son tells you he is a great pokemon player and he and his mates are.

As an aside there are studies into depression that show that being outside, mild exercise and interacting with nature are as effective if not more so that medication ( a whole debate in itself). I wonder if the balance between technology and `real' experience isn't tipping towards technology and what the cost of this might be in future generation in terms of health and well being? I am not anti technology as you can tell by the amount of stuff my kids have but I don't think it is the be all and end all either.