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THREE QUARTERS OF PARENTS SAY TECHNOLOGY HAS BOOSTED THEIR CHILD’S DEVELOPMENT

74% believe tech has improved their children’s problem solving skills 67% believe tech has improved their children’s writing skills 54% of parents worried their child will be behind peers if they don’t use technology

More than half (54%) of parents are worried that their child will start school behind their peers if they don’t have any interaction with technology at home, according to a new report.

Indeed, the majority of parents (91%) believe it is important for children to be familiar with current technology and software, and that it will be beneficial as they get older.

Despite this, there can be too much of a good thing, as 71% of parents’ still like to monitor the amount of time their children spend using technology, revealed a survey of 2,000 UK adults published in the Technology Trends Report 2017 by gadgets and technology e-tailer, LaptopsDirect.co.uk.

Traditionally, parents have often agonised over how much time their kids spent using gadgets but as technology develops, an overwhelming proportion of parents now recognise the necessity of kids getting to grips with it, and being comfortable in a digital world.

Three quarters (74%) of parents admitted using technology had helped improve their children’s problem solving skills, while more than one in two (56%) believe technology has bettered their motor skills.

Two-thirds (67%) of parents felt the use of technology had improved their children’s literacy skills as they now read more, while 46% felt it has enhanced their language skills, with applications such as voice command and Siri now commonplace. Mark Kelly, marketing manager at LaptopsDirect.co.uk said “Incorporating gadgets such as tablets, laptops and smartphones into interactive play with children is a good way to familiarise them with today’s technology. There are plenty of apps designed to boost literacy, mathematical and motor skills in children. It’s great to see the vast majority of parents recognise the importance of familiarising kids with gadgets at a young age.

“Parents’ concerns about their children being behind their peers if denied access to technology shows that they understand how important it is for their children to be able to interact with the latest gadgets, as school learning and tests become more technology based.”

Parents believe their children should be of high school age (11 years old) before they own their own smartphone or tablet with internet capability.

LaptopsDirect.co.uk is the UK’s largest online laptop specialist, selling a wide range of new and refurbished laptops from leading brands, as well as a wide range of other lifestyle gadgets.

For more information, visit www.laptopsdirect.co.uk

ENDS
For media information and images, please contact: Hayley MacLeod at PR Agency One T: 0161 871 9140 E: hayley@pragencyone.co.uk Christine Quansah at PR Agency One T: 0161 871 9140 E: christine@pragencyone.co.uk Rick Hollister at PR Agency One T: 0161 871 9140 E: rick@pragencyone.co.uk

NOTES TO EDITORS LaptopsDirect.co.uk is the specialist computing division of the BuyItDirect Group, and the UK’s largest online laptops specialist, bringing customers the best deals in the UK from all the leading brands at great value prices.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Hayley Macleod .