Undoubtedly, the familiarization of children with technology has significant benefits. However, we must not ignore the risks involved that may affect everyday life, physical and mental health.
Part of their daily life
The use of technology has entered our daily lives for good, both due to its development and the number of technological applications, and its cost, which makes it affordable. Inevitably, its daily use is massively increasing, not only by adults but also by children.
According to research in the USA, 38% of children up to 2 years old have already used a mobile device either to play or watch videos, while 63% of children from 2 to 8 years old use smartphones and tablets more than their parents!
The benefits
Some of the benefits of tech use by children are as follows:
- Enriches existing and helps develop new skills.
- Makes access to knowledge easier
- Offers means of supporting learning to children with special needs, e.g. difficulty writing or speaking.
- It contributes to the development of cognitive abilities during the very first years of children’s lives
- Helps with the practising multitasking skills.
The other side of the coin
Daily, immoderate use of technology, however, can affect children’s health. In particular, the excessive use of social media burdens the quality of sleep and especially the mental health of children. For instance, their self-image and self-confidence can be negatively affected through constant comparison with their peers and due to the role models created and projected on social media.
Some of the dangers that lurk in the excessive or misuse of technology by children are:
- Distraction, as the immediacy and speed of technology disrupts the capacity for anticipation.
- Causing depression, mainly with the excessive use of social media.
- Development of obesity, due to limited mobility.
- Cyberbullying.
- Difficulty in socializing and developing interpersonal bonds.
- Violation of privacy or even physical integrity by malicious users.
Take action
Some ways parents can deal with children’s excessive use of technology are:
- to reduce the use of mobile phones in front of children themselves, as they usually adopt their habits and practices
- to ensure the proper nutrition of their children, their adequate sleep and mobility
- monitor the content they watch and participate in it themselves.
Did you know?
The above figures refer to surveys from the USA
Sources and additional information
- James Scott Peas, Positive and Negative Influences of Technology in Early Childhood Classrooms: A Qualitative Study, Northcentral University ProQuest Dissertations Publishing, 2019
- Medical Health Associates Of Western New York, Modern-Day Parenting: How Screen Time Affects Your Child’s Mental Health: https://www.mhawny.com/2022/11/23/modern-day-parenting-how-screen-time-affects-your-childs-mental-health/
- Wake Forest University, Exploring the Link Between Technology and Mental Health : https://counseling.online.wfu.edu/blog/exploring-link-technology-mental-health/
- Clarity child quidance Center, Too Much of a Good Thing: The Impact of Technology on Teens’ Mental Wellness: https://www.claritycgc.org/too-much-of-a-good-thing-the-impact-of-technology-on-teens-mental-wellness/
- Western Governors University, Impact of technology on kids today (and tomorrow): https://www.wgu.edu/blog/impact-technology-kids-today-tomorrow1910.html#close
