It's come to something

Agreed nanaej - it's just that I think, in many instances technology has taken the place of the babysitting TV of old. If it involves interaction with an adult then it is fine but it isn't always the case. I'm not getting heavy about it, it was a part of my childrens' childhoods and we had great fun playing games back in the 80s. Tablets are very child friendly for a reason

Sel I agree that technology is very natural for small children as everything is new for them and learning is what they do!

I don't agree that books, crayons etc are a better option but do think they are equally important!

My DGS1 and his dad spend time together playing computer games and they talk about them, interact and have fun together so it's not all bad. Equally they spend hours building with Lego!

petra that was funny, I think most older people can relate to what you are saying totally, my 4 year old GS is a computer wiz!!! i just sit there amazed and can hardly believe it!

I don't see anything too wonderful to be honest, it's natural when children are surrounded by technology that they quickly learn to use it. I find it sad when young children are given tablets and phones to keep them quiet - acceptable in some circumstances but becoming endemic in restaurants. If technology is a marvel to you, which it can be, then it's easy to think children are terribly clever to do things we can't. A bit like a bilingual child really. A book, crayons or a pack of cards is a better option but requires adult input.

Yesterday GD8 and I were talking on FaceTime. I was babysitting GD 17 months and she enjoyed holding the phone and watching her cousin. Then she leant the phone against something on the cupboard so GD 8 could still see her but so she didn't have to hold the phone anymore.

I borrowed my Son in law's i-pad this weekend - and my grandson, aged 23 months, showed me how to use it! There are some apps on it with jigsaw and matching games, and he showed me how to do them. Amazing.

The radiation thing is a bit worrying! Thanks for finding the Mail article. I wonder if anyone else is concerned? They are exposed like no other generation to all sorts of electronic devices. I suppose we just have to trust that it'll all be ok for them.

At 18 months old GD scrolled through photos on my phone and sent a photo of herself to my sister, I was gobsmacked when sister texted to say she had received a photo message from my phone. I thought she was just playing with it.

It's not really surprising when you think about it. Skype, computers, mobiles, DVD players and so on have always been part of their lives so of course they are tech savvy.

Fabulous Learnergran

When I skype with my little twin DGDs, now 17 months old, they trot off and find their toy mobile phones to hold to their ears while they "chat" to me

Hi Muttimama, I googled this issue and found this article in which one scientist is reported as saying that there is a danger. But I think there is more than one opinion. Most teenagers don't actually make calls on mobiles - they wear their thumbs out texting. I have never seen this warning on instructions for a mobile, but probably the manufacturers have decided to cover their backs.

I've just bought a new phone and in the instruction booklet it says to keep out of the way of children (the phone I mean) as 'it might not be good for their health'.
Does anyone take any notice? My GD has 'played' with my old phone from time to time...

Yes - it is wonderful isn't it.

DGS (4) has learned so much. He asked about how glass was made the other day and we were able to find a youtube video showing the whole process - he was fascinated.

I remember when we first got a video player and I couldn't find where to turn it on. D2 was four and she switched it on for me. This generation would probably figure out how to instal it. They certainly are tech savvy little people.

When GS was 3 my daughter put some games on her iPhone for him. He copied what she had done and added quite a few more, she only found out when she saw the bill.

I think it's wonderful. The things that my two GC have learnt from computers before they went to school is amazing.
Only this week the Teacher at my 3 yr olds nursery school told my DD how amazed they were at her number skills. And although my DD is very good with teaching the children, most of this has been learnt from the computer.

Our granddaughter, aged 2, will pick up her mum's tablet and find photos etc. I'm calling her in when my laptop next goes wrong. She'll probably do it for free if I throw in a packet of chocolate buttons.