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Ways Kids Can Use Technology To Channel Creativity
Parents in the digital age are all too aware of ways too much screen time can be harmful for their kids and teens. Yet creative technology devices and apps can also enrich your child’s mind and help them grow, which is especially important in light of arts education budget cuts in public schools. In fact, encouraging kids to craft things for social media apps rather than just passively consuming others’ content can promote healthy brain development. Here are just a few ways kids and teens can use technology as a productive creative outlet:
Choosing technology designed to help kids learn as they create and motivate them to keep improving their skills.
Building a portfolio of their work. Documenting their own growth can be great for your child’s self-esteem as well as for sharing their work with friends and family. They may even be able to use their work to apply for art, writing, or programming scholarships.
Using social media as a networking tool to connect with larger communities related to art, gaming, and other interests. Besides fostering kids’ interests in healthy ways, networking may help to steer them away from potentially harmful forms of social media. It’s also a great skill for entering the job market.
Apps That Inspire and Support Kids’ Creations
There are almost countless apps that can help your child create and publish creative work, but it’s important to vet them for age appropriateness and safety before using them. Here are a few that parents can feel good about (and you can find more here):
Scratch (for ages 8+) and ScratchJr (for ages 5-7) are programming sites that allow kids to learn from others as they create and share games, animations, art, and music. The apps don’t sell user information, and they do moderate site activity and keep content clean and age-appropriate.
GarageBand (for ages 10+) is a Mac program where kids and teens can compose and share their own music. It gets high marks for being safe for children to use.
Brushes (for ages 4+) is an iPad app that lets users sketch, draw, paint, and share their creations using sophisticated digital tools. The app doesn’t collect any data and doesn’t contain inappropriate content.
Teach Kids Healthy Tech Use With Net Positive
The mission of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Utah County is to inspire and enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to realize their full potential as productive, caring, and responsible citizens and leaders. We accomplish this by providing evidence-based programs with a focus on those that improve academic engagement, build character, and that improve healthy behaviors.
Our Net Positive Program educates K-12 students about digital safety, health, citizenship and leadership. After participating in our program, students are 97% better prepared to face internet dangers. Contact us to learn more and ask your school to schedule a Net Positive Presentation, or support us with your donation today!
References
Alessi, K. (n.d.). GarageBand App Review. Common Sense Media. Retrieved July 22, 2022, from https://www.commonsensemedia.org/app-reviews/garageband
Best Creative Apps. (n.d.). Common Sense Media. Retrieved July 22, 2022, from https://www.commonsensemedia.org/lists/best-creative-apps
Christensen, J. (2021, May 28). Children and Too Much Screen Time: How Much is Too Much? Mayo Clinic Health System. Retrieved July 22, 2022, from https://www.mayoclinichealthsystem.org/hometown-health/speaking-of-health/children-and-screen-time
Geiger, W. (2022, July 6). Top 48 Writing & Essay Scholarships in July 2022. Scholarships360. Retrieved July 22, 2022, from https://scholarships360.org/scholarships/writing-scholarships/
Geiger, M. (2022, June 30). Top 16 Art Scholarships in July 2022. Scholarships360. Retrieved July 22, 2022, from https://scholarships360.org/scholarships/top-art-scholarships/
Geiger, W. (2022, June 30). Top 12 Computer Science Scholarships in July 2022. Scholarships360. Retrieved July 22, 2022, from https://scholarships360.org/scholarships/computer-science-scholarships/
Held, L., & Cotten, M. (2013, July 24). New Report: Technology Fuels Youth's Artistic Expression Outside of School. Wallace Foundation. Retrieved July 22, 2022, from https://www.wallacefoundation.org/news-and-media/press-releases/pages/new-report-technology-fuels-youths-artistic-expression-outside-of-school.aspx
Take Care Staff. (2019, December 21). Technology's Impact on Childhood Brain, Language Development. WRVO Public Media. Retrieved July 22, 2022, fromhttps://www.wrvo.org/health/2019-12-21/technologys-impact-on-childhood-brain-language-development
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