«Tablets in primary school? I take a critical view of that!»

Manuela Krattiger from Arlesheim BL believes that using digital media requires a certain level of maturity. She therefore keeps her boys away from it. She is against the use of tablets and the like even in primary school.

"I'm the mum of a kindergartener and a third-grader. When my older son came home in first grade and told me he was working on the computer in class, I was amazed. Precisely because we parents had not been informed. The pupils were practising maths on the computer. I didn't like the fact that they weren't just using it as a work tool: Those who finished their maths quickly were allowed to play computer games. The computer was also used in second grade, not all the time, but regularly.
This goes against the grain for me because I keep the children away from digital media at home - at least for now. I'm not unworldly, I use these devices myself. But I take a critical view of how children use them.How can we expect them to use digital media in moderation when even adults can barely put their mobile phones down? A young person needs a certain level of maturity to be able to resist this pull with the necessary vigour. I don't think they will have reached this before the age of ten or twelve.
I often attend parent education courses. I see mothers and fathers who report that they can't get their ten-year-old children away from the screen. I believe that a consistent attitude from parents can counteract this. However, it is difficult when the school undermines what is important to you.

«The devices deprive children of important fine motor and sensory experiences.»

Of course, it is normal for conflicts to arise when schools and parents work together. It becomes difficult when it comes to basic values, and for me this includes the use of digital media.
Our municipality is planning to equip the primary school with iPads. I think this is inappropriate because the devices deprive children of valuable sensory and fine motor experiences. We also know that LED displays can lead to overstimulation - certainly not the best thing for children who already have difficulty sitting still.
My older son has been attending the Steiner School since the new school year. It's a relief for me that digital media is explicitly not allowed there, at least at primary level. That gives me more support as a mum. Of course, I will allow my sons to use the computer later on. If games also come up for discussion, we'll find a solution."

This text comes from the dossier «Digital revolution in the classroom»

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