From toy to work tool

Even five or six-year-olds can watch a film or play a simple game, and as long as parents keep an eye on screen time and, above all, the content, everything is fine. However, the use of mobile phones, tablets and PCs changes at the latest when children move on to primary school. It is part of modern teaching that children learn to use these devices for their school work. The devices are «reprogrammed» for the children. In other words, they realise that they can also be useful for other things besides Paw Patrol.

I think it is extremely important that media skills are taught in schools from the first grade onwards. Naturally at the right level and to the right extent. Digitalisation will shape their lives later on, in one way or another. For this reason alone, it cannot be overestimated how important it is to use digital tools competently.

No standardised regulation

How schools implement media lessons is not standardised in Switzerland. In many school communities, tablets are used selectively in lessons from the first year onwards. These devices are provided by the school and parents do not have to worry about purchasing them. Work with electronic aids usually becomes more intensive from the fourth or fifth grade onwards. Some schools then provide each child with a personal device. From the upper school onwards, the municipalities take different approaches: some continue to rely on devices that are procured and managed by the school, while others allow young people to use their own devices.

Schools should not close their minds to developments, and most of them no longer do. Children should learn at an early age to use devices not only as a pastime, but also as learning and working tools. They should learn how to use the devices correctly and become aware of the temptations and dangers, but also the possibilities and opportunities that the Internet has in store for them. This will make them more confident and less susceptible to influence later on.