The younger generation’s use of technology has been a hot topic in recent years.
We often see little ones with their tablets, their brows furrowed in concentration as they play their favourite game.
And while many studies have judged children’s frequent use of smart devices as having a negative impact, others disagree.
Dr. Simeon Djankov, a chief economist at the World Bank, had an interesting take on the issue when he spoke to the Oireachtas finance committee.
He urged that children in Ireland are being taught vital IT skills too late. These skills are becoming more important for use in secondary school, university, and the business world especially.
As a result, Ireland along with a majority of the EU has fallen behind the curve when compared to countries in East Asia.
Young children should be taught computer skills in preschool, Simeon argued.
He said that quality broadband has become a necessity for countries.
“The EU has a lot to learn from other regions. Vietnam has a tenth of EU per capita but every school has broadband.”
If Ireland made these changes, he explained, not only would children be better equipped for their futures, but the Irish economy would reap rewards as well.
The Harvard lecturer told the committee: “My advice is to look to teach such skills earlier — even pre-school. The ages between three and six are the best to learn, and primary school is too late.”
Technology should be viewed as an important tool for the future, Simeon suggested, and in order to utilise it fully, we should be teaching children IT skills as early as we can.
