| Parents want education, kids want entertainment. The hunt is on for tech toys that have both |
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Its THE old generation gap, but with a new twist. Parents want their kids to focus on what they need for learning. The kids want something thats entertaining and cool. Parents are more likely to approve the gadgets that can make their kids more productive, including computers, cell phones, or graphing calculators. But teens favour technologies that can be used for entertainment or socialising, with music players such as the iPod at the top of the list.
For kids, technology isnt just a productivity tool. Its a way of expressing themselves. If theyre buying a computer, theyre more likely to care about what it looks like on the outside or if it is beefy enough to run the newest computer games. "There is a huge generation gap on technology," said Kathleen Gasperini, senior vice president at Label Networks, a Los Angeles youth culture marketing intelligence and research company. "Kids are growing up with electronics in every aspect of their lives, and parents just dont understand that culture." Parents have the easiest time buying multi-purpose devices that satisfy everyone. Today gadgets can be viewed as useful for education and entertainment.
Personal Computer
PCs with broadband connections can be used to research papers on the Internet, write term papers on word processors and run a wide variety of educational software. Tools such as Google are displacing libraries and encyclopaedias. "You start with the educational purpose, but with any technology, teens will find other uses for it than the main one," said Laura Behrens, an analyst at market research firm Gartner. "Almost all of them do things that we never get around to. Even the graphing calculators for math come with their own games, and the kids will discover them." But parents should be aware that a browser on a computer turns that machine into any kind of device the child wants it to be, said Roger Kay, an analyst at Endpoint Technologies in Waylan. Do you really need an Alienware (gaming) laptop? Do you really need a Webcam? Do you really need a TV tuner? Teens are getting a lot of social mileage out of their PCs, using technologies such as instant messaging to stay in touch with their friends. Most of the teens who go online play games.
Cell phones
Like PCs, cell phones keep adding more functions. But in contrast with PCs, cell phones dont have a clear educational purpose. But theyre cheap, and its one way for working parents to stay in touch with kids after school. Some phones are provided free on family calling plans. Cell phone envy is hitting kids at younger ages, Gasperini said. Many parents come up with different answers when deciding what age is the best match for a new gadget. Matt Anderson, had to wait for a long time to get his first cell phone. He uses it to stay in touch with his parents when hes riding to music class, or when hes just hanging out with friends. He plays games on the phone, but doesnt generally send many SMS. Matts father, said they bought him a phone only when he started going out more on his own with friends. "I was most interested in my son having a phone for safety reasons," he said. "We thought about a camera phone. But we didnt see the need for it." The Andersons share a laptop but put restrictions on its use. The kids are not allowed to use the laptop in their bedroom, preferring instead that they use it in the living room. It has security software on it for safe Internet use.
Others
The gadgets that clearly focus on entertainment are easily shot down by parents: GameBoy Advances, iPods, digital cameras, video game consoles and Play Station Portables. Still, Matt Anderson has an iPod. Even though it can be used to listen to books, lectures and other instructional podcasts, it isnt considered necessary. Parents are arguing with kids for the educational value of the gizmos they desire.
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