Helping Kids in Saving Energy for Future

A six-year-old youngster might have a few battery-powered toys in 1993. Maybe a remote-controlled car or the 'Lights Out' game. Teenagers may have been fortunate enough to own a video game console such as the Mega Drive or the SNES. Children who were fortunate enough to have a tiny portable TV in their bedroom may have anticipated the release of the Game Boy Color in 1998. Their handheld gaming systems, like other toys, required AA batteries or, if more powerful, large 9V batteries.

Take a two-decade leap ahead and compare those youngsters to the children of 2013. They've taken the family iPad, grown infatuated with Mine craft, and claimed it for themselves. They have power-hungry cellphones, gigantic flat-screen TVs the likes of which were only seen in a theatre in 1993, and a plethora of game consoles that demand not just electricity but also a continual internet connection. The Nintendo DS has taken the position of the Game Boy Color, and it, too, requires regular charging from a power source. Furthermore, youngsters typically have their own PC or laptop, or at the at least shared access to the family computer, as well as additional gadgets such as MP3 players and digital cameras to add to their collection.

In 1993, children did not have cell phones. By the age of six, one out of every ten children possesses a cell phone in 2013. Parents spend an average of £600 per year on devices for one child. The typical person possesses 10 'devices,' including mobile phones and tablets, worth more than £4,000 in total. Our children reportedly spend an average of 353 hours a year playing with electronic devices, though most parents would undoubtedly disagree.

Many parents assume that keeping their children occupied at home is a less expensive option than taking them to their favorite local attractions. Yet, charging a tablet computer, MP3 player and a mobile phone may seriously suck into your home energy. The average home now uses £62 a year powering the TV in their lounge. Bedroom TVs may be significantly smaller, but they may still add roughly £50 to your annual power cost. Worse, most people aren't viewing their TVs when they're draining the electricity.

As if the stats above weren't enough to set your heart beating, there's also a general trend of rising energy prices that we must all deal with. The average family income increased by only 1% between 2002 and 2012. At the same time, power rates increased by 100%. Over the same ten-year period, gas costs increased by a terrifying 170%.

It's alarming to contemplate where our energy prices may go over the next decade. Our energy expenditures now consume a considerably larger amount of our household income than they ever have. 25% of households are currently in 'fuel poverty,' and rising costs show no signs of abating. In order to pay those costs, we've all had to make compromises elsewhere, cutting the money we spend on other needs such food, clothes and vacation.

Children, in particular, have a propensity of turning off or leaving on televisions. Then they are distracted by their iPad, a phone call, or a Nintendo DS, and the TV is left to consume energy. The term "electronic commerce" refers to the sale of electronic goods.

Parents want to ensure that their children are safe. The term "responsibility" refers to the act of determining whether or not a person is responsible for the actions of another person. A wireless socket is another important tool, allowing youngsters to shut the sockets off simply by pushing a button on the included remote control.

We are now a multitasking society. Even our smallest children will not do only one thing at a time. Over a six-hour period, the average living room TV uses 17p. If your child uses the TV to play their gaming console, it will cost an extra 13p for the same amount of time. If they're also using their laptop, and connecting everything to a wireless router, that's another 10p. Your adolescent has spent 40p in six hours simply playing on their PlayStation and chatting with a buddy on Facebook.

They're probably charging their phone, listening to music, and watching TV on their Sky box. All of these factors add to the cost of your power.

Worse, after they're through, they'll turn off the television. Even after they've been fully charged, any gadgets are remained connected in. They may even charge their phone and tablet computer overnight, when no one is there to disconnect them, so they are constantly taking power and adding to your energy bill.

Children, in particular, have a propensity of turning off or leaving on televisions. Then they are distracted by their iPad, a phone call, or a Nintendo DS, and the TV is left to consume energy. The term "electronic commerce" refers to the sale of electronic goods.

They're used to watching movies, browsing the internet, listening to music, and interacting with pals. All of these items consume processing power, and add to your energy usage.

Theoretical energy savings do not always convert into actual energy savings, which is why gadgets must be switched off and disconnected when not in use. After all, it's a practice that will prepare your children for their own adult years, when their energy usage will almost certainly be significantly higher.