[Petrochemicals (OP)]

My brother has 2 children, other than the TV, both have been brought up to read books, play with toys, learn with interaction, use pens, count with cardboard cut outs etc. No electronic gadgets like tablets where employed. My brother and his wife had very specific standards.

However my niece started school in September, come the first parents evening (all by video) my sister in law was told my niece was behind all the other children, incapable of using a tablet and she had to start. My brother and wife where told in as many words they where neglectful.

Now this shocked me, bringing up a child not to be fixated on electronic animation, to have proper communication skills etc then to be told to use one smacks of bad teaching standards, lazy teachers and no concern for my nieces wellbeing or any other child. I'm sure the less fortunate children are left with a tablet at home so to have it mandatory at school is sad. I really thing it is outrageous.

[Bored chemist]

to have proper communication skills etc

This is the 21st century.
Proper communication skills include the use of computers.

[alancalverd]

I tend to side with the luddites on this one. A computer is supposed to be a solution, not a problem. If you have to "learn how to use it", it isn't very good.

We see a lot of contributors to this forum being concerned with virtual worlds and confusing models with reality. I suspect they have all graduated from the rectangular babysitter to electronic toys and spent more time watching than doing.

It does however solve the problem of overpopulation. The  more people who live on line, the more outdoor space there is for the rest of us.

[alancalverd]

I tend to side with the luddites on this one. A computer is supposed to be a solution, not a problem. If you have to "learn how to use it", it isn't very good. The communication skill is talking to people, and you don't need Zoom to learn how.

We see a lot of contributors to this forum being concerned with virtual worlds and confusing models with reality. I suspect they have all graduated from the rectangular babysitter to electronic toys and spent more time watching than doing.

It does however solve the problem of overpopulation. The  more people who live on line, the more outdoor space there is for the rest of us.