Children’s Exposure to Technology
Read more to understand the impact of Technology on children, It’s pros and cons and what parents can do to ensure they have a safe virtual environment to explore the latest technologies.
Gone are the days when adults had to teach children how to use a gadget properly, now it’s the opposite. They teach us! Children belonging to this generation live at the summit of technology, and because of it, know how to navigate through its myriad of applications and programs with minimum effort! How the times have changed, right?
Bringing up a technologically integrated generation of youngsters can be daunting, since this level of immersion was never seen before the advent of this century. So what is the impact of technology in children, how do we manage it, keep them entertained and protected? Let’s read more to find out!
Impact of Technology
Kids spend an average of 8 to 11 hours per day on gadgets, smartphones, tabs browsing a variety of media that may or may not be beneficial to them in the long run. It therefore falls on the parents to navigate their usage and channel it to the more useful aspects of technology, which in itself is a behemoth task, but one that can be fun for the kids if done properly. Parental guidance also ensures that kids don’t fall prey to any online or media scams or cyber bullying or face any other issues and rather experience a safe and fun zone of learning with the help of technology.
As with any idea, object or thought, everything, including technology has two sides, the Pros and the Cons.
The PROS
- Useful Tool for Learning!
Kids love gadgets, so why not let them have a fun time learning with it? There are so many educational contents, courses, videos, games, animated movies and more available that are designed to develop their minds, act as aids for learning and cater their creative requirements as well. When used in classroom or even at home, it helps them instantly picturize the matter that is being taught which makes it last longer in their memory!
- Help in Tech Future
With the ever flourishing pace of technology, it comes without surprise that this field will always be looking for the best, the brightest and the most innovative souls to ramp up the technology and make something entirely new and surprise us! Therefore, kids starting with their tech experience at a young age will have a better handle on how this field works and how to prepare in order to join it!
- Better Multitaskers and Decision Makers!
Research has shown that with the mindful use of technology the tiny tots can surely become a master at multitasking! This is very advantageous merit as multitaskers can get many, many things done without having to task themselves too much. Children introduced to or familiar with video games or other fast paced decisive programs tend to translate the similar decision making skills in the critical moments of their real life as well thus reducing the time taken to deal with biases.
- A+ Coordination Skills
Spatial development is highly increased in young individuals with a penchant for video games. This can help in the future in a variety of arenas like map reading, puzzle solving, reading and writing since they’re aware of using their hands and eyes to communicate and understand.
- Improved Communication Skills and Social Interactivity
E-books, animated movies, videos etc can all act as a source for developing their language, vocabulary and ergo, their communication skills along with it helping them to effectively articulate their thoughts and opinions to the masses. Technology also aids in increasing their social interactivity through social media, games and more to help them make more friends with similar interests.
- Access to Information
Textbooks and libraries aren’t the only sources to answer one’s questions anymore! Kids are curious by nature and now they have various platforms to find out the how, why of anything and everything within the reach of their fingertips! This fuels their curiosity and makes them eager to know more about more and broaden their horizons like never before!
The CONS
- Sedentary Lifestyle
This is considered to be a major issue by people in general when asked about the impact technology has on kids. Spending more time on screen might cause a disconnect between them and the real world and induce weight gain as well. It is therefore very important to maintain the use of technology in moderation while being active as well. This is both good for the brains and the brawns.
- Safety Risk
The advent of cyber technology has not escaped the issues of reality either. Scams and bullying are evident even in the virtual world and kids must be protected from them in order to have a safe and fun virtual experience. Parents can often supervise their internet usage and also enable child safe searches which only allows age appropriate content to be shown.
- Cost Element
Not every parent might be able to provide their kids with all the latest resources and who can blame them? Technology is expensive and everyone can’t afford everything. This can act as a good money management and prioritization lesson for your kids, teaching them the importance of saving up with a goal or an object in mind.
- Eyesight Impact
Spending 8–11 hours in front of a screen has a price and it’s blurry vision. Prolonged screen usage can lead to eyesight fatigue, blurry vision, double vision and more. It can also be a cause of neck and lower back pain. It is essential therefore to ensure that kids spend time away from gadgets no matter how attached to it they are. The easiest way to do this is by keeping incentives for staying away from their beloved gadgets for a while educating them about the benefits and importance of having some off-screen time!
What can parents do?
Parents can ensure their children have a magical time online by implementing boundaries like time and screen limits, setting rewarding goals, and spending time with their kids and the technologies they love. They can also ensure the availability of good safety software in order to ensure the safety of their kids and their private information. Parents and teachers can also help their tots find apps, games and courses that are aimed at making their kids gain knowledge with pleasure.
There you have it folks, the pros and cons of technology, its impact on the children and what we as adults can provide and do in order to breathe life into the dreams of our kids and nurture the young curious able minds within them!
