Technology’s Child

Interactive technology can support the development of executive functions if children control how they engage with it and parents guide its use.

Over the years, children’s interaction with technology has shifted from passive TV watching to much more interactive forms of digital media, such as games on tablets and smartphones. When TV first became widespread, many people were concerned that it bypassed and, thus, hindered the development of children’s budding executive function skills — such as self-regulation, working memory, and cognitive flexibility.

With the advent of smartphones and tablets and the rise of new apps and digital services aimed at children, such concerns have grown. Research suggests that these new technology forms — which often include interactive elements that respond to user actions like tapping, swiping, or speaking — can both support and hinder child development. For example, interactive educational apps can bolster specific executive function skills when they allow kids to engage with them at their own pace. However, apps that do not allow the child to control the pace and steps of the game or activity and ...