Technology: use it wisely
We use technology to talk to family, send messages, learn and play. These are advantages: we can see a cousin who lives far away, find answers to questions, and have fun. But there are disadvantages too. Too much screen time can make us tired. It can leave less time for sleep, for playing outside, for homework and for family. Our eyes and necks can ache. Health means a balance: we give time to many things. To control how I use technology, I can agree a time limit with a grown-up, for example one hour after homework. I can choose a set time of day, take breaks and look at something far away, keep screens away at meals and before bed, and play or talk face to face too. Children of this age need about 9 to 12 hours of sleep. Online, I keep private information private: I do not share my full name, address, school, phone number, photos or passwords with people I do not know. If something online worries me, I tell a grown-up. When a family has one computer or phone, everyone gets a fair turn.
| Technology | Advantage | Disadvantage | Way to control |
|---|---|---|---|
| video game | fun, and I can play with friends | I can spend too much time | play only at a set time |
| video call | I can see my cousin | it can be at a bad time | agree on calling times |
| learning app | I can learn new things | my eyes get tired | take a break every so often |
My technology plan. Make a table with three rows (talk, learn, play) and the columns Advantage, Disadvantage and Way to control my use. Then, with a grown-up, write a plan for your week: how long, at what time, and what you will do instead, such as playing outside, reading or helping at home. Make a list of private information that you never share online. Practise saying to a grown-up, “Something online worries me.”