WATCH: Benefits of augmented reality in kids' education

MANILA, Philippines — Psychologists usually warn parents of technology’s bad effects on kids: reduced sleep quality, physical activity and socialization, and increased exposure to online threats like cyberbullying and pornography.

Actress Miho Nishida is among those who used to worry about her daughter belonging to today’s generation of techie kids.

Thus, when buying toys for her daughter, the “Pinoy Big Brother 737” Big Winner said she looks for those that are not only entertaining but also educational.

According to parent and entrepreneur Amabelle Reyes, toys with augmented reality, like Pai Toys at Rustan’s and Hobbes & Landes, promote positive and productive use of technology among kids.

She enumerated the following benefits of augmented reality among kids:

• It enables kids to bring their artworks into life
• It promotes healthy screening time – kids do not stare on the screen all the time, their eye and hands move as they go about with the game
• It promotes good hand and eye coordination
• It encourages bonding between child and guardian

Both Miho and Amabelle believe that technology is not bad at all, if, like anything else, it is properly regulated and used in moderation.