BFTP: Evolution of babysitting with technology
Sunday, April 2, 2017 at 06:40AM According to a recent study by market researcher Nielsen, adults commonly use tablets to pacify their children while they are out of the house.
More than half of adults said their children used a tablet as a form of entertainment while traveling. Two out of five gave their children a tablet to keep them occupied while they were at a restaurant or event.
Horrible parent skills, one might conclude. But it's not new. Haven't we used technology as a babysitter for a very, very long time?
(Education commentary below.)
1950s - TV (My babysitter)
1970s - Color TV (My daughter's babysitter)
!980s - VCRs (My son's babysitter)
2000s - Computer websites (My first grandson's babysitter)
2010s - Apps (My second grandson's babysitter)
Today - More apps (My third grandson's babysitter)
My thought is that we've used technology as a babysitter in school as well. But has there been an evolution?
Number Munchers 1982 - Apple II
Number Munchers 2012 - iPad
Sigh...
