Slides and swings dumped for touch-screen technology
Giant touch screens have replaced playground equipment at an indoor mall, angering parents trying to limit technology time.
Shore City Takapuna on Auckland’s North Shore has removed the traditional play equipment of tunnels, slides and rockers and installed three large computer touch screens and provided covered foam play equipment.
The change comes weeks after New Zealand’s first “smart playground” opened in Rolleston, Christchurch.
Levi Park came under fire for its new smartphone-based playground, which sees parents scan images on traditional equipment games on a device.
One group of mums said the Shore City playground was their first choice on a wet day but they wouldn’t be using the new screens.
“It was a great place to sit and have a coffee or lunch on a wet day, and the kids could run around and be active,” one mum said.
“Now kids are purely being entertained. They are not using their social skills or imagination, they are sitting there playing on a giant screen.”
The mum, who did not want to be named, said the apps were not even age appropriate.
“There are games aimed at preschoolers but they use written to activate instructions which preschoolers can’t understand.”
North Shore mum and child care provider Heidi Willers said the new play area was disappointing.
“I was here the other day and there were kids queuing to use the screens. They were not talking to each other, there was no social interaction,” she said.
“With the other playground they were learning to take turns, playing together.”
Willers said there needed to be opportunities to avoid screens.
“I don’t think it is up to the mall to provide screens. Most parents are trying to limit technology because children end up overstimulated.”
Some parents and caregivers said there were positive aspects to the new interactive play area.
“We did come here to use the playground but they have enjoyed playing here,” nanny Jessica Shatwell said.
“There is a drawing game that uses fine motor skills and most of the other games are educational as well so they are learning.”
Shore City Takapuna spokeswoman Jan Walker said the relocation of the play area was part of an “upgrade transformation” of the centre.
As well as improvements to public areas, free Wi-Fi, upgraded carparking and new bathrooms, there were changes to the play area.
This included “three interactive screens containing a variety of educationally based games” and “a number of physical play options within the area”.