CES 2012: Kids’ apps in perspective

According tot a study announced at the Consumer Electronics Show, more than 80 percent of education apps in the iTunes app store are targeted at children within the age group of between toddler to high school.

Late last year, the American Academy of Pediatrics gave guidelines for young kids, emphasising that no child under age two should be using a screen device.

However, more than 80 percent of the apps within the education section of the iTunes app store are targeted to children ranging in age from toddler to high school, according to a study released this week at the Kids@Play Summit, taking place at 2012 International CES in Las Vegas.

The study, by the Joan Ganz Cooney Center, details the growth in educational apps and the opportunities for developers.

The study reveals the promise and challenges facing families eager to incorporate technology into their play and learning. They bring much-needed perspectives to the ongoing debate where, too often, only time spent with media is considered, not how that time is spent.

“Even the youngest children can benefit from a great iPad experience,”” said Robin Raskin, founder, Living in Digital Times, organizers of the Kids@Play Summit. “”When it comes to quality children’s media, a screen is not a screen is not a screen.””

Highlights of the Joan Ganz Cooney study include:

Panels at the Kids@Play Summit looked at the bevy of new screen devices catering to young children and the e-book explosion. Sessions also focused on the opportunities for marketers and developers to create high quality content that brings out the natural inquisitiveness of young kids.

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