Are tablet computers harming our children's ability to read?

[Paul Whybrow]

This article is in today's Guardian:

http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2015/aug/24/tablets-apps-harm-help-children-read

My first reaction to the concerns raised is that as long as children are reading something, it's better than not reading at all. I agree with the worries that tablets could join televisions as being unpaid babysitters that are used to occupy the attention of youngsters, while their parents do other things.

There's plenty of distractions available on tablets, which might well take a young reader's attention away from the story. I like it that Gruffalo creator Julia Donaldson took a stand against allowing an app for her book to be created. The notion that the powers of imagination could be neutered by expecting things to happen automatically at the touch of a button is terrifying to me. Extrapolate that concept far enough, and you're entering territory where stories are written by computers - which is already happening, of course, as discussed in other threads. Artists, of all types, would become redundant.

I like what the UK’s National Literacy Trust's project manager Irene Picton has to say about books:

“We often forget that books are a technology too, and one that’s had several centuries to evolve. With ebooks or apps, we're comparing them to a relatively new format for reading. It’s important to be open-minded around this,”

It troubles me that the social aspect of reading a book together can be lost, should the tablet be seen as a solo device. Also, their space-saving capabilities mean that homes will have fewer books on shelves, which also reduces their importance. The tactile qualities of a book make it a friend to the reader, something lacking in a shiny electrical device.

Do any of the Colonists have children or grandchildren? It would be interesting to hear some empirical evidence on how youngsters use tablets for their reading.

 

[Jennifer Stone]

I have no qualms with e-readers for children, as long as there are age-appropriate books on there. I agree that such devices are used to 'keep the kids quiet' by some parents/carers, it doesn't take much to sit with your child and read with them. I think the biggest threat to children's literacy is text speak. We all use the occasional OMG or LOL but some kids don't write proper words anymore, especially as in some schools text speak is classed as a form of slang, and perfectly acceptable in exams and essays.

 

[Marc Joan]

I have two kids. Both of them love paper books. Neither have a kindle. To date, neither have shown any interest in a kindle or similar device for reading, indeed the eldest [13] is quite vocally opposed to the concept. But they both love the computer for homework, and interestingly are reluctant to research projects using books if Google is available.

 

[Carol Rose]

My 24 year old daughter prefers actual books to reading them on an electronic device.

 

[Karen Gray]

In a word. No. It's the parents that hamper the child's reading ability not the use of a tablet. My daughter uses our tablet but still wants and at times demands specific book time, whether that's her "reading" (she's 4 and is getting letters and small words but not proper reading yet) alone on the couch, or story time with mum but us having a tablet doesn't stop her wanting to read. Parents that don't read to their kids, or take them to the library or bookbug or anything like that hamper the reading ability, it's not the tablet. That's like saying violent games causes violent kids. Sure, at times maybe, but only if they are not taught properly in the first place, and if they get aggressive take the damn thing off them, it's not rocket science. Correct parenting is about balance and all us mums and dads know what a juggling act that is. But we can't blame our lack of concern over our children's education, or our lazy parenting on objects that we give them... That's just madness.

 

[Emurelda]

My kids have been using all the gadgets...fortunately or unfortunately. I've downloaded a lot of books when they were younger learning to read. There were some fun ones we laughed over but nothing beats a good old fashioned finger on page sit down over Paddington Bear for my youngest who needs extra attention to bring his reading up to speed.

And I do notice that using both method (offline and online reading) is a complement. However, the learning stage is done mostly offline, any online reading only consolidates the tools he has learned.