Tweens and technology

Walton-Hadlock, M. (2008). Tots to Tweens: Age-Appropriate Technology Programming for Kids. Children & Libraries, 6(3), 52-5. Retrieved from Library Lit & Inf Full Text database Reflections Some librarians and libraries are reluctant to offer technology programs for tweens. Some think that this is not the place to do so and others believe that it is just a problem waiting to happen. Some librarians believe that technology is evil, and is detouring children away from books which, as we saw in this course, is far from the truth. Technology is exciting for children of all ages, gender, and grade. It enhances learning, problem solving, and team work, and libraries can be the only place, other than school, that children are having any access to. As as educational facility, it is our duty as librarians to provide the best and the newest programming for children, and what better way to get tweens involved!? All tweens love technology, they love video games, websites that connect them with their peers, and can navigate educational websites in their sleep.    As a librarian it is our partnership with parents and caregivers to assist in the education of tweens. We can offer classes or workshops on how to properly use technology, we can have their peers speak up and share their stories such as in the book, We Want You to Know: Kids Talk About Bullying. You will be surprised on how kids open up when put in a casual environment and among their peers or even complete strangers that are the same age. In our children's computer lab we put off tween/teen friendly posters about cyberbullying and sexting, and even though there are some snickers and rolling of the eyes, they are conveniently placed where questioning behavior may take place.  We can't shy away from something that is unknown or that we are not comfortable with...I mean we all know that kids are much more tech savvy than we are. :)