This August, my wife and I will celebrate our son’s 3rd birthday. Being he is our first child, we like most parents strive to provide the best in everything for him. We also realize that our son is growing up in an age that is vastly more technologically advanced than the one my wife and I experienced.
I remember playing Pong (yes, I’m dated), our first “color” TV (amazing), and being mesmerized by the game Simon. However my son is growing up with Wii, XBox 360 and Playstation 3. Not to mention computers, cell phones and HDTV. I must admit I’m a bit jealous. If only these devices were around when I was a kid.
I’ve dubbed this next generation “Techno-Tots,” and this series of occasional posts will focus on children growing up in this wonderful Digital Life of today.
While doing research for the series, I came across an article from Forbes: “Coolest Gadgets for Kids.” It featured the Wow Wee Robosapien.
My son loves it! And while I reviewed the instruction manual, he quickly had the robot performing tricks before I could figure out which buttons to push. And all this before the ripe age of 3. While new to me, he seemed incredibly comfortable with the remote control. So who is teaching who in this digital age?
If you have ideas for “Techno-Tots” posts, I’d like to hear from you. Until then, I’ll try and wrestle the remote from my son and have *him* show *me* how it works.
Follow me on Twitter @ChrisBatDell.
PS: Happy Mother’s Day, Mom!!!
May 10th, 2008 at 4:15 pm
Great post! And thanks for following me on Twitter.
Kids do seem to be born wired these days. From a community perspective I’d like to see an article or two on what companies are doing with building community around their product. This is a bit older audience than your son, but my sister’s child rec’d a stuffed animal for his birthday with a tag encouraging him to join the community. His friend had one & so they get together online & connect as well as meet other kids with the same brand. It’s an interesting marketing idea (and gift idea too it seems!). My sister was intrigued watching how quickly her 8 yr old took to networking in an online community made specifically for kids.
May 10th, 2008 at 4:19 pm
Great idea for a series of posts! Raising my own 5-year-old “Techno-Tot”, I was amazed at how quickly she took to the Webkinz her cousin gave her for her birthday. There are a ton of similar kid-focused virtual worlds out there that might make an interesting topic for this series. I look forward to reading more!
May 10th, 2008 at 6:10 pm
Great post. My kids have been on computers since they were 1 year olds. I too sometimes wish I were as lucky as them but then I would have missed many great things in my own youth. I started with an Atari and pong befor getting a Commodore 64 which got me hooked on computers. When I turned 16 and all my friends were buying their first cars I blew my savings on a computer. It was a Lazer turbo model that had a blazing 8hz processor and monichrome monitor but came with a free month of Prodigy. It was my introduction to the wonderful world of the internet. Later came the Commodore Amiga system with my favorite game of the time Battle Chess. Don’t forget all the great game consoles.
Looking back at all the changes we’ve seen, I can hardly imagine the advances our kids will get to experience.
May 13th, 2008 at 7:02 am
@Connie Bensen: Thanks for sharing your experience in regards to marketing for kids, that just may be something we look into later.
@Laura P Thomas: Virtual worlds for kids…. interesting. Another great idea. =)
@jervis961: My first “computer” was a Texas Instruments TI-99…. ahh the memories.
May 16th, 2008 at 7:30 pm
Love this!! My son is also a big techie.. but he is balanced I think in that he LOVES the outdoors (and being 3.. also loves to run around outside naked.. but thats another story)
I just recently gave my son my old Dell Ispiron Laptop and he knew EXACTLY how to turn it on, start it up and play with it. He can’t quite type in Seasame Street Elmo Game.com yet, but he gets it.
Not sure if this all a direct influence of me.. as I work from home (or attempt to) and watch him, so first thing in the am, he knows the drill. Computer on… coffee on…and such. he plays with his laptop while I read through emails. He seems to really enjoy it and helps me out a TON!!
I am adding a collection of online games for him and he is doing great.
It will be amazing to see where he takes it in a few years.. but I won’t push
But definitely.. the learning curve will be much easier for him in the future I think.
May 19th, 2008 at 7:58 am
@Elle: Thanks for the response and I’m glad you enjoyed the post.
I hadn’t thought about giving my son my older Dell laptop yet… Hmm. He certainly does love to play “Check Email” on Daddy’s =)
I also sent you a reply on Twitter, would love to see what games you have bookmarked for your son.