Games and Learning

A new national survey of parents finds that the age-old battle with children over television and computer time may be coming to an end.

The researchers surveyed some 2,300 parents of children from 0 to 8 years old and found that the overwhelming majority (78 percent) say their children’s media use is not a source of conflict.

“Today’s parents grew up with technology as a central part of their lives, so they think about it differently than earlier generations of parents,” says Ellen Wartella, the lead author of the report. “Instead of a battle with kids on one side and parents on the other, the use of media and technology has become a family affair.”

That said, when most parents turn to media to entertain or educate their children, they are still turning to the television, although computer and mobile technologies are growing quickly.

The wide-ranging survey found that even with the prevalence of tablets and smartphones, parents turn to many of the tried and true methods for either keeping their children occupied or rewarding them for good behavior.

The same holds true for educational opportunities. The study found parents “are less likely to think about using media for that purpose than they are to think about directing their child to a book, toy, or activity. About two-thirds (62 percent) say they are very likely to point their child toward a book when looking for an educational opportunity and 41 percent to a toy or activity, compared to 15 percent who say the same about using the computer, 12 percent for TV, and 10 percent for a mobile device such as a smartphone or tablet.”

The other reality holding back tablets like the iPad or Galaxy is economic, according to the researchers. They found that while 42 percent of homes now have a tablet of some type, “the divide by income is substantial: among families earning $100,000 a year or more, two-thirds (65 percent) now own such a device, while among lower-income families (less than $25,000 a year), 19 percent do.”

Still, one of the most pronounced shifts has been in the concern parents have about their children’s media usage. While many still worry about the impact of media on physical activity, most view media as a positive factor in their child’s life.