What is your tech knowledge like?
Dubbed ‘TIPs’, Technologically Inept Parents, they are struggling to get to grips with the fast-moving technology that their children enjoy so much. Parents are struggling to know the difference between their iPad from their Notebook or MP3 and GPS.
A third of parents said they regularly ask their kids for advice and a third also admit to bluffing their way through tough techy questions from their children.
The study, released today, reveals that kids are becoming increasingly frustrated by their parents’ lack of technical know-how and 45 per cent would like to send them to a technology school so they can get to grips with modern gadgets.
Half of the kids surveyed said they get annoyed when their parents ask for their help to fix problems with their laptops and mobile phones and those aged eight and nine were most embarrassed by their parents’ lack of gadget knowledge with a quarter admitting to going red at their parents’ techy faux pas.
To ensure parents are well equipped to deal with the array of technologically advanced Christmas presents this year, VTech has launched the VTech-nic University masterclass to help parents improve their technological know-how.
Celebrity mum and TV Presenter, Kirsty Gallacher, a self-confessed TIP, attended the masterclass and said: “I’m not ashamed to admit that my sons know how to use my smartphone better than me. Technological advances are so fast moving it is hard to keep up so I found the VTech masterclass really helpful to give me a dummies guide to the hottest gadgets of this year.
“Luckily, the new VTech toys are so easy to use, whilst being educational so I had no trouble there, but I do think I might still need Oscar’s help with my laptop from time-to-time. At least if he has his own InnoTab 2 he won’t want to borrow my tablet” she said.
Almost a quarter of parents questioned admit to spending between £100 and £200 per year on gadgets for their children. The poll of 2,000 parents and children shows that 73 per cent of children would like a gadget for Christmas this year, which coincides with the launch of the new InnoTab 2 children’s tablet from VTech.
Hamley’s, Argos and Tesco have all predicted tablets such as the InnoTab 2 will be one of their best sellers this Christmas, which is mirrored in today’s research that shows a third of kids are planning to ask Santa for their own tablet this December.
A spokesperson from VTech said: “Developments in technology are not going to slow down any time soon and kids do seem to be able to get to grips with technology much faster than their parents. We want to show parents that technology needn’t be complicated and our VTech-nic University classes are designed to make technology, quite literally, child’s play for mums and dads.”
To view the VTech-nic University e-masterclass visit www.facebook.com/VTechToysUK
What is your tech knowledge like? Tell us about your biggest tech mishaps and how you overcame them in the comments below or tweet us @FemaleFirst_UK
FemaleFirst
Shabana Adam @Shabana_FAM