Thaindian News

Washington, Jan 21 (ANI): A new study has revealed that kids today would rather learn how to operate a computer than to learn how to ride a bike or how to swim.

Software maker AVG Technologies conducted a survey amongst 2,200 women and found that 14 percent of kids aged 4 to 5 could tie their shoes — compared to 21 percent who knew how to use a smartphone or iPad application.

Among kids aged 2 to 5, 52 percent knew how to ride a bike, while 58 percent could play a computer game and 69 percent could operate a computer mouse. Twenty percent knew how to swim, but 25 percent could open a Web browser.

“Children’s behavior has changed, and that’s mainly because the way we use the technology is so different. It changes everything,” ABC News quoted J.R. Smith, AVG’s CEO, as saying.

However, the survey raises serious doubts about children’s safety online.

“I think parents need to be increasingly vigilant because there are so many media and so many different avenues for accessing media,” said Dr. Vic Strasburger at the University of New Mexico School of Medicine.

But while some parents agree that technology usage should be limited they also believe that embracing technology is part of being successful in today’s world.

“The implication is that parents are ignoring basic skills in favor of letting kids play games,” said Liz Gumbinner, publisher and editor-in-chief of Cool Mom Tech and Cool Mom Picks.

But, “I don’t think it’s an either or. And, increasingly, computer skills are essential for navigating the world we live in.”

The idea is to strike a balance between the two.

Monica Vila, founder and chief technology mom of the parenting website The Online Mom, said she believes that children need to be well-versed in the ways of technology to compete, but added that children and adults need to learn when to step away from it, too. (ANI)