Do you think using tablet devices is bad for handwriting?

Polls

23rd March 2018

TODDLERS are not getting to grips with pencils before starting school, and it’s affecting the skills that they need to write.

That’s according to Sally Payne, a children’s therapist. She says that many children are using digital gadgets rather than building blocks or cutting, sticking and threading – activities that help toddlers to develop the right movement skills for holding a pencil. According to Payne, more and more children can’t grip a pencil and move it when they start school.

However, there is no direct evidence linking the use of tablet devices and a lack of basic writing skills. But several studies have shown that taking handwritten notes helps students to remember more facts and figures.

As a result, some university professors in the US recently banned computers from lecture halls and classrooms, but some of their students complained that their hands hurt from all the writing!

Do you think using tablet devices is bad for handwriting?

38 Comments

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banjoblaze · 6 years ago

As long as someone is taking some time to physically write, it should be fine. However, if they only use their device, it will have a negative affect on their writing skills.

pheebz10 · 6 years ago

I think yes because you need to be able to start writing when you are at school so it is easier if you practise your fine motor skills when you are little. IT is also good because you will have better handwriting when you are older.

chinmayi · 6 years ago

Yes, because you won't be good at writing unless you practice it and using a tablet device (which is not even considered as writing) won't help with writing... :)

sunglasses · 6 years ago

Yes, I think so. When I was little, I didn't have any tech stuff apart from an ancient computer which my Dad used to work on. I was able to write in PRE-SCHOOL, AND NOW PEOPLE AREN'T ABLE TO EVEN HOLD A PENCIL IN RECEPTION?!?!?!

I like ranting btw.

popcorn100 · 6 years ago

Young children will get too used to typing rather than writing for themselves.

j.pat · 6 years ago

Tablet devices are bad for children because toddlers are learning to work a device before they know how to read and write.

bigfatcat · 6 years ago

I think that most young people would start to get used to touching and typing that they could even forget how to write letters. My advice would be to stay on devices because you should learn a bit about electronics too but definitely not for too long, keep a good mixture of both.

jaboyth · 6 years ago

I believe it is bad for your handwriting if you overuse a tablet device. However, i think it needs to be tested by other physiologists as well.

poojha · 6 years ago

It's not bad if you have a balance between writing and using a tablet. But it can be bad if you constantly use it.

mia-18 · 6 years ago

first comment my first time getting first comment. yes i think this is bad for handwriting because it doesnt help develop the right skills for writing with a pen and pencil because on a tablet all you do is tap the buttons

happyhog10 · 6 years ago

I think that using tablet devices is a bad idea because it means that children can't develop the skills or position they need to write.

dancer1234 · 6 years ago

I think that tablets are bad for vital handwriting skills. However, I also think its also important that young people understand how to use technology because it will be in the future and already is such a huge part of education and life.

theminion · 6 years ago

Toddlers should be using their time to play outside and learn! People need to get out with their kids more.

penguinno1 · 6 years ago

If you do lots of drawing in your childhood, learning new letters is just like learning a new shape.

superspy11 · 6 years ago

Definitely! All you can do on a computerised device is tap out letters on a keyboard. So how can that help improve handwriting?!

rosyrhada · 6 years ago

Seriously! I spend ages on my computer and my hadwriting is fine.

rufuspug · 6 years ago

i honestly couldn't choose but i voted yes because you will need to write when your older.

cocoloco88 · 6 years ago

I thing it will be okay because you will be using it and you still have to use them for school anyway

cookiecrum · 6 years ago

I think yes because children should get used to writing instead of typing. If they are used to writing then it will be easier for them in school. It will also help their writing when their older.

legend2258 · 6 years ago

I think no because I played on my mum's phone when I was small and I can write fine.

shpee · 6 years ago

I don't think so. I spend quite a bit of time on tablets/computers/phones and my handwriting is fine. If they can't write, it's probably more to do with them not learning how to, not the tablet (although I do think that it is rather strange to give a toddler a tablet but whatever.)

fantastict · 6 years ago

Yes. When they go to school, the children will get a BIG telling off, even if it's not their fault.

Esiotrot2 · 6 years ago

yes, and I also think that toddlers shouldn't be using devices that young

chinmayi · 6 years ago

Hello everyone! How are you all? Looking forward to the Easter Break? Because I am :)

donutlove · 6 years ago

No because I had a device when I was younger with a pen so like a normal learning games device with like a pen you could press with. That kind of thing is OK. Otherwise it's a nope from me.

fox64 · 6 years ago

I think it is OK if they are doing, say 75% physical and 15% digital, (3/4 physical, 1/4 digital). People need to learn how to hold a pencil. When I was in reception (youngest class), I learnt it as your finger is a frog, and the pencil a log. The frog needs to sit on the log. :-)

#cute

zeushades8 · 6 years ago

I voted no ‘cause when you go to work, there will not be a pen/pencil in sight. So toddlers need to learn how to type

bellacoona · 6 years ago

yes,because you don't practice

samuel08 · 6 years ago

I use my tablet and ipad alot and i am one of the the best handwriters in my class.

rocker26 · 6 years ago

Toddlers will throw a strop if they don’t get what they want and a way to make them quiet is to give them a tablet to play on. When they begin to be given a tablet more frequently, they begin to remember what they do and how to use the basics of one. When they have been playing on one for a long time they get used to always playing on it and when they are old enough, they are told that they need to begin to write with a pencil. When they are told this they will refuse to write because they are used to always playing on a tablet. Therefore, this delays when they begin to write with a pencil.

intelburst · 6 years ago

i think yes and no because you can get pens now which you can use to write with on screens but if you are just typing you're handwriting may not be as good as you want it to be

piewham · 6 years ago

It's OK for you to use tablets every so often, but if you used them all the time it would be bad for your writing skills.

fresh · 6 years ago

Yes you need to learn how to physically write so then you can write on a device

bonjour · 6 years ago

It's perfectly fine as long as they don't use them too often.?

ysiad1 · 6 years ago

I think that you should have a balance between writing and using devices as young children shouldn't get to used to only typing as when they go to school they won't be very prepared for having to use pen/pencil this is quite serious as many kids will have bad handwriting.

holholster · 6 years ago

Personally, I think that using electronic devices before starting nursery/pre-school is bad for everyone, due to the fact that it does not promote getting to grips in terms of using a pencil or pen.

pony · 6 years ago

I do not think it is bad for your handwriting because later on in life you only really type.

melon_cow7 · 5 years ago

Yes because you should be writing ✍️ yourself