I WANT a blackberry, not a bicycle! That’s a demand made by a kid who recently did exceedingly well at a national examination. He was adamant that his parents get him this gift.  The vagaries of digital technology have succeeded in changing parenting practices not only here in Guyana but countries the world over.

A mobile device is an electric apparatus which its user can easily move from place to place. Typical examples are a mobile phone, PDA, Game Boy, PSP, iPod and Galaxy note. Mobile devices do not need electricity connection to work. Usually, they have a battery to hold electricity to work without electric wires. A user can change, send and take the data with connection by modem or cable. Many exchange data wirelessly. Uses for these devices include reading and writing e-mails, surfing in the internet and listening to music. More complicated mobile devices can plan days, run computer games, and have almost all functions of desktop PC.
The week my youngest cousin was born, I took off a few days from work so that I could bounce her on my knee while listening to some good music.
Unconsciously, I was practicing what researchers now call “joint media engagement,” I was not only familiarizing my little cousin with Jagjit Singh, Sonu Nigam and Bob Marley, but also providing an embodied introduction to rhythm, art, dancing and simultaneously offering many other more subtle lessons around socialization and language.
Gadgets have taken the much cherished time and space which was meant for the parents. Children are hooked on to the gadgets and they have no time for other pursuits. Parents also regularly bring new gadgets for their children in keeping with the peer pressure and giving in to the demands. Should we pamper our children with gadgets? How to curb this menace?
My friend tells me his son always wants the latest games as soon as possible.  There is also a lot of peer pressure for him to get these gadgets.  “I feel I am spoiling him by getting him the gadgets he wants”.  Should I give in to him when he comes up with something new that he just must have? I adamantly told him (my friend) no!
Today, children are a demanding lot.  Every day there are more and more exciting gadgets to acquire.  Mobile phones, video games, I pods, computers, music systems, there are newer models available by the day.  Sometimes, by the time you get around purchasing something, it is already obsolete.  In this scenario, how much should we pamper our children?

Why Children Tend to Spend More Time with a Mobile Device?
At the outset, as a working mother/father, you are probably already erring on the side of indulgence.  Working parents tend to feel guilty about their absence from home and are more likely to give in to their children’s demands.  Giving in is also easier, since with a dual income, a home with working parents tends to have greater disposable income.  Your son’s wants might not seem difficult initially, but be aware that as he grows, the things he craves will get bigger and more expensive.

Should Working Parents Get Mobile Devices for Kids?
You need to ask yourself if your son really needs the new gadget he craves.  Will the amount you spend on it make you uncomfortable?  You will know in your gut whether your child should have the latest version of a video game.
If you decide against buying the new gadget, you need to talk to him about why he should not have it.  Compare the cost of that gadget to a poor man’s income.  Put its cost into perspective for him.  Ask him to buy it out of his own savings!

How to Handle Peer Pressure in Case of Purchasing Device?
If it is peer pressure that is making him desire this new item, you need to have a long, hard look at his friends.  It is natural that your son will have a need to be liked by his peers and fall in with their behavior patterns.  Ideally, his group should have a positive influence on him and should have values similar to his own.  He should choose his friends wisely.
It is very tough to stand up to peers.  Your son will need your affection and guidance.  It has been observed that those children who have either low self-esteem or low confidence are more likely to succumb to peer pressure.  Therefore you need to build on his own confidence.  It is extremely helpful if he develops personal interests outside of the group.

How Does the Usage of Mobile Devices Affect Children?
Sometime, parents fail to notice the impact the gadgets have on the development of the child. The child gets hooked on to the gadgets and hardly has time for other things in life. He fails to pursue his interests. Suddenly when these gadgets are taken away from them, they feel restless and irritated. Gadgets bring about behavioral changes in the child. The child prefers to be lonely but with his gadget. So what is the solution? Do we give in to the demands?

How to Monitor Child’s Mobile Device Usage?
It is high time now to monitor your child before it is too late. Giving in to demands sometimes is okay but there needs to be a good reason for it. The child should be monitored for the hours spent on gadgets and a time should be fixed for this. Giving in to peer pressure should also be avoided. The best option for you as a parent is to talk to him a lot so as to prevent him from feeling isolated.  You could also encourage him make new friends. Let him enjoy the beauty and marvels of nature by taking him out on a picnic or for gaming on the field.  All of this takes time and patience. So just take it easy.
You can prefer the above ways to make sure that the child is spending less time with gadgets. You can also introduce him to other things. Get him involved and interested in hobby classes so that his attention is diverted and his time is spent fruitfully.
You know there is a statement I keep hearing from many parents in my community, “You does mek de pickny, but you nah mekdem mind”. Says who? You can surely groom your kids into having a wonderful life without little use of mobile devices, but, you have to set the example, the will surely lead by example, right!