Affect of Technology on Children

Agenda Background Concept Positive and Negative Affects Research Findings Conclusion

Background In 21st century technology has its implications in every domain of our life. In ages before technological grounding core values were considered as the fabric used to hold families together. Things that were discussed in personal discussion with siblings are now being communicated via social media. Parents in today’s age rely heavily on communication technology, information technology and transportation technology to make lives faster and more efficient. In 21st century technology has its implications in every domain of our life. If we take into consideration the family lives it is quite safe to say that Technology is creating disintegration of our core values. In ages before technological grounding core values were considered as the fabric used to hold families together. Things that were discussed in personal discussion with siblings are now being communicated via social media. Parents in today’s age rely heavily on communication technology, information technology and transportation technology to make lives faster and more efficient. Due to fast paced growth of Entertainment Industry including TV, Internet, video games and cell phones our family structure and life styles are highly impacted.

Concept Technology has given a new direction to the World and Internet is playing a very active role in developing a culture of digital connectivity. The constant update in technology is also impacting the children in both positive and negative ways. Education is highly important in protecting children in this highly digital and online world. We cannot say that technology has all the negative impacts but still we can point out several negative impacts of technology on child development and quality of life. Technology has given a new direction to the World and Internet is playing a very active role in developing a culture of digital connectivity. The constant update in technology is also impacting the children in both positive and negative ways. Education is highly important in protecting children in this highly digital and online world. When children are using Internet one cannot ignore the fact that online risks appears in many different shapes and sizes. Technology has brought chance in almost every aspect of our society from the past few decades. The way we work, the way we socialize and the way we operate our family lives. The most noticeable difference that technology has brought s the way our children plan and the way they interact with each other. Although we cannot say that technology has all the negative impacts but still we can point out several negative impacts of technology on child development and quality of life.

Research Findings Lack of healthy routine in Children. Impact of technology on Children’s thinking. Excessive use of technology results in Obesity, Anxiety and Depression in Young Children. Security Concerns children face while using technology

Facts and Figures In the year 2010 a study was conducted by Kaiser Foundation. It was revealed that every child uses 7.5 hours on average in a day. Almost 50% children in North America have televisions in their bedrooms and 70% kids watch TV while having lunch and Dinner. Research has reported that 42% of the children have TV in their bedrooms, 29% own their personal DVD players, 1% have console games and 4% have personal computers. Children under the age of 2 years spend twice as much time watching television as compared to reading books. In the year 2010 a study was conducted by Kaiser Foundation, which indicated the use of entertainment technology by children. It was revealed that every child uses 7.5 hours on average in a day. Almost 50% children in North America have televisions in their bedrooms and 70% kids watch TV while having lunch and Dinner. This clearly shows that instead of developing personal connectivity and bonding with the family members, children are more interested in using their gadgets or watching TV. In today’s age children are highly impacted and consumed by Media and Technology. Research has reported that 42% of the children have TV in their bedrooms, 29% own their personal DVD players, 1% have console games and 4% have personal computers. Children under the age of 2 years spend twice as much time watching television as compared to reading books.   These figures are alarming as each of them is revealing the interests and thinking pattern of young children. If Children are not as much interested in reading books as they are in watching TV, It means in coming generations we would be lacking good scientists, engineers, researchers and people with strong analytical skills. Secondly, these children who are technology oriented will have no real life, no real friends and no real sense of connectivity with anyone, which means we will loose the human touch in relationships.

Facts and Figures

Research Findings in Detail Lack of healthy routine in Children. One of the biggest challenges faced by today’s parents is to maintain a healthy routine for their children. Children do not get as much exercise as is needed for their healthy brought up. Excessive use of gadgets resulting in lack of exercise. One of the biggest challenges faced by today’s parents is to maintain a healthy routine for their children. Children do not get as much exercise as is needed for their healthy brought up. The biggest reason behind this is the use of computers, smart phones and television because these things encourage them to be inactive when they come back home from school instead of playing outside with children they prefer playing a game on cell phone. Physical activity has been eliminated from the daily routine of children. Another impact of this is the increasing obesity rate in young children. In the year 2012, the child obesity rate was 18% while back in 198- it was 11%. This indicates that this rate is continuously increasing. There are many schools and institutions that are taking active initiatives in reducing the usage of technology but cooperation from parents is also needed to implement this change.

Impact of Technology on Children’s Thinking Technology has a strong impact on the way children think and feel. Children who spend time online and play video games for long have less ability to focus as compared to kids who rarely use technology. When children are exposed to superficial things they loose the ability to think in real-time, they become less creative and their ability to think critically weakens. Research also proves that technology has a strong impact on the way children think and feel. Children who spend time online and play video games for long have less ability to focus as compared to kids who rarely use technology. When children are exposed to superficial things they loose the ability to think in real-time, they become less creative and their ability to think critically weakens. Usage of technology for developing social network results in impacting the emotional well being of the children as well. High usage of social media results in lowering self-esteem and creates negative moods.

Excessive use of technology results in Obesity, Anxiety and Depression in Young Children. Different technological mediums impact the different body systems in a child. Watching too much TV has an impact on development resulting in obesity, diabetes and heart Attack. Similarly, using Internet for long causes Autism. There are four critical factors important to achieve the healthy development are movement, touch, human connection and exposure to nature. These four sensory inputs are important to ensure normal development in the body posture, bilateral coordination, self-regulation for the achievement of foundation skills which are required for entry in school. It is the body and mind requirement of young children to have active and rough routine in a day in order to achieve enough sensory stimulation to their vestibular, proprioceptive and tactile systems. (Huffingtonpostcom, 2013)   In the figure below it has been indicated that how different technological mediums impact the different body systems in a child. Watching too much TV has an impact on development resulting in obesity, diabetes and heart Attack. Similarly, using Internet for long causes Autism

Security Concerns children face while using technology Research has also clearly elaborated that Children using technology excessively faced privacy concerns as well resulting in causing hypertension, anxiety and depression. When you are exposed to social media and the digital world the chances of getting threatened by privacy concerns is not a rare thing. Children of this generation are coping up with this challenge because of excessive use of social networking sites. Research has also clearly elaborated that Children using technology excessively faced privacy concerns as well resulting in causing hypertension, anxiety and depression. When you are exposed to social media and the digital world the chances of getting threatened by privacy concerns is not a rare thing. Children of this generation are coping up with this challenge because of excessive use of social networking sites. A medical study has revealed that privacy concerns is one of the biggest reason of depression in younger children.

Conclusion The research findings discussed above supports this statement that excessive use of technology is harmful for children as it has more drawbacks as compared to benefits. We are of this notion that everything on planet earth has pros and cons and we need to create a right balance while using something. Technology has to be used in a way that individuals, organizations and societies use it for the betterment of mankind.