A new study shows that parents see technological doodads as more than just tools for providing a blissful moment of kid distraction. An overwhelming majority of parents said that they found tech educational or otherwise beneficial for children facing life in the 21st century.
The study, announced in a press release, was conducted in October by ORC Parents Caravan for PBS Kids. As you can see in the chart above, the question was put to parents about how they'd describe the value of technology. And they could choose either that they "think there's great educational potential in it" or that it "prepares (kids) for a 21st century in which technology is everywhere." The other options were that it's a distraction or quick entertainment, or that it's just like any other toy. While some of these may not be mutually exclusive, it was clear that parents favored the most positive responses.
The survey also spotted some trends for the holiday season, including hottest electronic gifts — game consoles — as well as the top hand-me-down gadgets — PCs and cellphones. But despite the tech optimism, non-electronic gifts do appear to have won this holiday season: 56 percent of parents won't be buying their 10-or-under kids anything from the core tech lineup.
More on what kids want from msnbc.com:
- iPad 2, iPhone 4S top holiday wish lists
- Meet the parents behind the best kid apps
- The five best HDTV deals for under $1,000
Catch up with Wilson on Twitter at @wjrothman, or on Google+. And join our conversation on Facebook.