IMPACT OF TECHNOLOGY ON YOUR CHILD’S OVERALL DEVELOPMENT
Written by Feba Maryann
With every passing day our dependency on technology has been increasing, the COVID-19 global pandemic has only boosted this. From schooling to shopping and everything in between, a day without your smartphone or laptop seems dreary and appalling. Consequently, it is nearly impossible to stop our children from accessing these.
Hand a child a smartphone and they will unlock it and watch their favourite cartoon on YouTube or start playing Subway Surfers in a matter of minutes. Children seem to have a knack for technology, and many seem to be better than us when it comes to matters pertaining to technology.
When used correctly technology has been found to have positive effects on the child’s development but like all things it also has its downsides. Read on to find out more about the impact’s technology can have on your child.
Supports Creativity and Innovation
The imagination and creativity in kids knows no bounds, quite literally. From drawing structures that defy the laws of physics to creatures that do not exist, kids stop nowhere. Earlier we only had sketches and crayons to help visualise these absurd and sometimes intriguing thoughts kids have.
But today with the advances in technology, it is possible to create 3D sketches, animations and even replicas of these thoughts, which who knows may be the prototype to a successful business idea. This does not mean your child will be the CEO of a multimillion-dollar empire at the age of 7 because of technology but rather gives them more opportunities than we had.
Reduces Attention Span
Technology today facilitates the frequent visual stimulation, rapid changes in data and mars imagination. Your child’s brain is still developing and malleable and this rapid changes in data would mean that the brain adapts to such conditions, this results in a shortened attention span.
Before the advent of electronic media, we used to read, or undertake activities that require focussed attention. Today for example when we look something up on Google, in the search results we quickly scan and process multiple websites to see which one suits our needs. Hence the attention shifts quickly from one source to another, and this will have an impact on children who are exposed to technology at high rates. On a side note, studies have found that children who use technology have improved multitasking skills.
Socialising and Staying Connected
Social media, online video games, and various other mobile apps and sites offer avenues for connecting and socialising with like-minded children. Under the given conditions chances that your child meet and socialise with people online far outweigh them socialising in real life.
Various features such as video and audio calls enable your child to stay connected with their loved ones like grandparents or their friends.
Bullying
Bullying in schools is a problem that is discussed constantly, now there is a shift from bullying in schools to online bullying. Children using social media are most vulnerable here. The dopamine rush they receive when they post a picture online and get positive engagement from other users can soon be undone by one random negative comment. Body shaming or teasing in other forms can hurt your child and controlling these on social media or other online media is not as easy as dealing with a school bully.
Enhances Learning
Books, libraries and schools have been replaced with text documents, Presentations, virtual classrooms and digital libraries. Computers and the internet have changed the way our children learn. Technology helps kids visualise and thus better understand various concepts.
Instead of reading how photosynthesis occurs, kids can now watch animated sequences that depict how exactly it happens, enabling them to easily understand and retain this information. Anything that was written and illustrated on books can now even be visible in front of our eyes with the help of Augmented Reality.
Increases Aggression
Studies have found that being exposed to violence makes children or teens more likely to argue and display forms of aggression towards others. Simulated violence as in video games or watching footage of violent behaviour often found on online media can be held accountable for this.
Conclusion
From video games improving hand-eye coordination to affecting emotional development, the impacts of technology are broader than what we have covered in this article. Using technology in a controlled and regulated manner can prove to be fruitful for your child, however if left unchecked it can cause serious harm.