Mom, I Want my iPad: Kids and Technology

Chances are, if you're a parent, your kid(s) probably know more about technology than you do. And a recent study shows that between 30 to 40 percent of parents actually learn how to use the computer and Internet from their children.

According to researchers from the University of Diego Portales, they found that children influence their parents in the use of multiple technological outlets up to 40 percent of the time.

Lead study author Teresa Correa of the university conducted interviews with 14 parents and found that children scored higher involving technology use, though they did not always recognize its influence.

Findings also revealed that children often discover new technology through simple experimentation, and for parents of lower socioeconomic status, they are more likely to learn about technology from their children than on their own. The same can be said of language barriers, according to researchers.

"The fact that this bottom-up technology transmission occurs more frequently among women and lower-SES families has important implications," Correa said, via a press release. "Women and poor people usually lag behind in the adoption and usage of technology. Many times, they do not have the means to acquire new technologies but, most importantly, they are less likely to have the knowledge, skills, perceived competence, and positive attitudes toward digital media. These results suggest that schools in lower-income areas should be especially considered in government or foundation-led intervention programs that promote usage of digital media."

More information regarding the study can be found via the Journal of Communication.