Today's kids need e-literate parents

The other day, I visited my cousin and was amazed to find how skilful her 6-year-old son was with an iPad, which he got as a birthday gift. His strategic thinking was on full display when he was playing "Cut the Rope".

As if that was not enough of a surprise, I learned that he uses the iPad as an audio-visual recorder to keep a weekly diary of the family with the help of his mother, who also helps edit the materials with iMovie.

Playing with touch-screen gadgets has become a rage among Chinese children. Unlike TV sets, a square box that sits on a table (or hangs from a wall), smartphones and tablets given their multi-functional qualities and portability are becoming part of an increasing number of urban children's lives. Their applications range from "Monster Morning", an app simulating morning routines for preschool kids, and "Toca House", whose lovable characters turn household chores into fun, to "Goodnight Moon", used for bedtime reading.