Smart Learning or Screen Overload? The Pros and Cons of Educational Apps

According to NPR, 53% of American kids over 11 have their own smartphone, and 84% of American teenagers. But, with doctors and other professionals constantly reminding parents not to allow too much screen time, we want to be sure that at least some of the time our kids spend on screens is beneficial. And, now that apps have been around for a while, there is emerging data that educational apps have significant benefits and importance for kids. Many of these apps also integrate with video hosting platforms, allowing teachers and parents to share lessons and tutorials easily.

I’m a child of the 70s and 80s myself, so even the computers at my college were sparse and extremely unsophisticated. We regularly used typewriters to complete our papers. Heck, I even lived in a house with 15 women, and we shared two phone lines. Can you imagine? The horror!

But, we have to remember that we have to contrast this with our kids. My sons really don’t remember life before smartphones and devices. They grew up with them. Expecting them to view technology as a “privilege” or treat is unrealistic. That’s like asking my generation to get excited over refrigerators. Though a new working refrigerator was a real treat to my grandmother, the first time they got one. It’s all relative.

There are many advantages and benefits to educational apps, whether it’s on a phone, tablet or laptop. (And yes, many laptops are moving toward using the word “app” instead of “program.”)

If you’re questioning whether or not educational apps have any real value, look no further.

Why Educational Apps are Important

Enhanced Parent/Caregiver Communication: No longer do we have to hope that our kids relay important information to us. Now we can check Schoology or PowerSchool ourselves and see. This can be a great tool for parents whose kids struggle with Executive Functioning issues and forget things. The adults can see the assignments themselves.

Maintain Updated Information: There’s still a place in our world for books. But now with apps, when information changes, the learning can be updated in the app. No need to rewrite, re-edit and reprint an entire book.

Kids Prefer Them: Apps and technology appeals to kids. And, fact is, they won’t be able to get a job in this century without knowing it. Learning how to use an app or coding with a fun educational game is low risk for the student, so they are more likely to try it out. But if you ask a student if they’d rather learn via a lecture or an app, they’ll pick the app most of the time.

Learning Can Be Individualized: In a classroom lecture, everyone receives the same information at the same time. Many educational apps have levels or segments, so it can be individualized. A student won’t move on to the newer content until they’ve mastered the previous content.

Increased Test Scores: There have been some studies that show students who consistently used learning apps scored better in some academic areas, particularly math.

Improved Comfort and Skill with Technology: Practice makes perfect. Not every child has access to technology at home. Using educational apps can help them learn technology in addition to the skill the app is designed to teach.

Progress on an App is Private: Technology may give students with learning a venue to learn that they cannot access in a traditional classroom environment. For example, there are apps that focus on helping dyslexic children to read and autistic children to develop social skills. Making progress individually, without judgement or classmates watch may be important for students who are self-conscious or have social anxiety.

What to Watch for When Using Learning Apps

Apps are great! But not without concerns. The important thing is balance–mixing apps with traditional learning. Here are some things to watch out for, if you are concerned your child is spending too much time on learning apps.

Not Learning “Old School” Skills: Remember when it was a huge deal to use a calculator at school? (No? Just me? boy I am old!) But seriously, using a calculator was thought to be “cheating.” Now it’s calculators, spell check, grammar check, plagiarizing check and much more. No one memorizes phone numbers any more…that means we’re using our working memory skills less often. Make sure you include educational board games and other in-person activities to the mix. I’m not suggesting that we return to encyclopedias and card catalogs, but a school project should take more effort than “Hey Alexa….”

Less In-Person Interaction: An app doesn’t have emotions. It doesn’t get super excited when you finally succeed at something, nor does it give you a disapproving glance and throat-clearing when you are not paying attention, like parents and teachers do. Only getting impersonal feedback can desensitize a person to emotions and reaction. Or it can make them hypersensitive due to lack of practice reading pragmatics and body language.

Overstimulating and Distracting: Like any method of teaching, what works well for one may not for another. Some students may find the noise, colors and activities overstimulating and distracting.

Widens the Existing Gaps: We have huge disparities in our country when it comes to race, wealth, education and income. A child who has enough household income to have devices and apps at home, and parents comfortable helping them with technology is at a huge advantage compared to the child who is lower income, no devices or apps growing up and has parents or grandparents raising them who are not comfortable with technology.

Apps are Sedentary and Singular: There are very few apps that get played with as a group. Or, played with while standing, exercising, swimming, or running around. For the most part, the child is sitting and on the app by himself/herself. If it’s several hours a day, that can be a problem for both physical and emotional development.

Keep Time Balanced

To help your child be successful, make sure they have balance. Screen time and active time should be equal.

How to Choose the Right Educational Apps

Not all educational apps are created equal—and not every app labeled “educational” actually teaches anything useful. So before handing over your phone or tablet, here’s what to look for:

1. Look for Real Educational Value: Is the app just flashy entertainment, or is it teaching actual skills? Look for apps that are backed by real educational principles—think problem-solving, literacy, numeracy, or executive functioning. If it’s all noise and no substance, swipe left.

2. Check for Age-Appropriateness: Some apps try to be “one size fits all,” but your kindergartner doesn’t need SAT prep, and your teen will roll their eyes at alphabet songs. Stick with apps that match your child’s developmental level and learning needs.

3. Beware of In-App Purchases and Ads: Nothing ruins the learning vibe like pop-up ads or surprise charges. Look for apps with minimal distractions, no sketchy ads, and clear pricing.

4. Choose Open-Ended Over Rote: Apps that allow creativity, exploration, and multiple solutions are usually better than those that just drill facts. Look for tools that encourage your child to think and make choices, not just tap the right answer.

5. Read the Reviews and Read Between the Lines: A five-star rating from 10,000 users sounds great, until you realize they all downloaded it for the cute graphics. Check if teachers, therapists, or real-life parents are saying it helped their kids learn something.

6. Test It Yourself First: Spend 5–10 minutes with the app before introducing it to your child. Is it intuitive? Engaging? Educational? If it bores or annoys you, chances are it’ll do the same to your kid.

Choosing the right educational app is a bit like picking a good book. It should engage, challenge, and inspire your child. And if it buys you 20 minutes of peace and quiet while actually helping them learn? Total win.