The wide use of digital technology has profoundly impacted children worldwide. When utilized appropriately, digital technology can serve as a lifeline for marginalized children, irrespective of factors like poverty, race, ethnicity, gender, disability, or religious affiliation. It provides them with a platform to acquire skills necessary for success in the digital world. However, not everyone has equal access to digital expertise, leading to significant societal disparities. Those who have access to technology are unaware of its impacts on children. Additionally, increased reliance on digital technology can widen the generation gap between parents and children, potentially leading to concerning issues such as exploitation, abuse, and child trafficking.
How does technology affect children?
Technology has significantly advanced knowledge and education by making them accessible to all individuals (Pásztor & Bak, 2020). However, are we constantly seeking more technological solutions to address global issues? Many individuals contend that technological advancements led to the development of atom bombs and started the race to collect nuclear arms. Ozone depletion serves as an important factor affecting industries and their mass production. Numerous studies have highlighted the effects on children’s physical, social, cognitive, and psychological well-being due to excessive exposure to technology (Gottschalk, 2019; Rosen et al., 2014).
Commonly accessible technological devices for children, such as computers, smartphones, tablets, digital cameras, social media platforms, software applications, and the internet, have become vital parts of their lives. However, children often lack the ability to maintain their usage and rely heavily on these technologies. Parents play an important role in managing their children’s technological activities to safeguard their physical and mental health (Geržičáková et al., 2023).
Early access to computers has been found to have severe effects on children’s health, personal lives, and relationships within the family and peer groups, as these institutions play a significant role in shaping children’s lives. Such access negatively impacts children’s health, leading to issues such as social isolation, which is commonly observed in adults and can damage their social, occupational, and other vital areas of functioning.
It can lead to the development of neurosis, resulting in psychological and behavioral disorders characterized by symptoms such as anxiety, sadness, depression, anger, irritability, and mental confusion, as well as low self-esteem. Now, children are often indulged in activities like gaming and cell phone addiction, due to which they are unaware of socialization patterns (Yang et al., 2023). It is supported by data showing that children and adults who frequently browse the internet spend significantly less time with their families and peers yet derive a sense of satisfaction and happiness from their dependence on technology, mainly through interactions on social networking sites (Plowman, 2015).
Excessive use of electronic gadgets also leads to vision problems due to prolonged exposure to screens, resulting in computer vision syndrome characterized by eye strain, dryness, headaches, and potential near-sightedness (Pardhan et al., 2022). Additionally, younger children, being more impressionable, may adopt negative behaviors depicted in television shows, such as stealing, drug use, and smoking. Prolonged periods spent sitting in front of computers can have both short-term and long-term physical impacts, including temporary laziness, obesity, brain damage, vision loss, and other diseases due to lack of physical activity.
Positive Effects of Technology for the Children
Research indicates that exposing young children to modern technology and social media can have positive effects if parents monitor their children’s screen time and ensure that it does not adversely affect their physical and mental development (Hsin et al., 2014). There are numerous ways in which children can benefit from technology and active screen time when managed appropriately by parents. Here are positive impacts of technology on children:
Better hand-eye coordination: One significant factor that enhances children’s cognitive abilities is their engagement with interactive screens. When children concentrate on objects displayed on screens and actively participate in on-screen activities, their hand-eye coordination can significantly benefit. This skill is particularly advantageous for children, as during their early developmental stages, solid hand-eye coordination aids in developing writing and drawing skills.
Improves Language skills: Active screen time can enhance children’s skill development. They can improve their vocabulary, pronunciation, and phonetics by exploring various eBooks online. Additionally, numerous websites offer resources for learning different languages through online platforms.
Promotes School Readiness and Cognitive Development: Several computer programs enhance children’s cognitive development, particularly in mathematics and reading skills. Those linked with technology can utilize it positively to acquire various skills, improving children’s competency in high-order thinking and applied learning.
Increases Motivation to Complete Tasks: Various apps are designed to monitor and guide children’s computer activities, encouraging the development of skills and helping them progress to the next level. Gaming websites can serve as platforms for children to learn and improve their skills, enabling them to face challenging environments and achieve their life goals. By simply interacting with a screen, children can explore new technological advancements and expand their learning horizons.
Develops Skills & Talents: Access to different media devices can help improve children’s talents and developmental skills. Additionally, technology can educate parents by informing them about their children’s interests and activities in various fields. Using digital technology, parents can learn about their children’s learning processes and involvement in various extracurricular activities.
Online Schools: Children with any disability who cannot attend traditional school or feel uncomfortable there can utilize online resources to learn from the comfort of their homes. This option offers flexibility as online platforms are not bound to traditional school schedules, making learning more accessible to them.
The negative effects of Technology
The advancement of technology skills drives the modern world; while technology brings numerous benefits, it also comes with its share of advantages and disadvantages. It touches every aspect of our lives, constantly accompanying us, even during our day-to-day activities like eating and sleeping, sometimes posing as a formidable adversary. From smartphones to tablets, personal computers, and video games, our lives are intricately interlinked with technological progress. Our children are also involved in this digital landscape at home and in educational settings, learning concepts that were once beyond our imagination. This represents a significant avenue for positive development through technology. However, excessive reliance on technology can have detrimental effects on children’s health and cognitive abilities. To prevent these risks, parents must be aware of the downsides and take measures to address them. Here are five negative impacts of technology on children that demand attention:
Relationships and Social Skills Issues: Children are often hooked on digital devices, spending excessive time on social media and becoming addicted to it. This can lead to a generation gap, as kids spend more time online than interacting with family members. They rely on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, WeChat, and IMO to connect with friends, play games, share memes and photos, and express their feelings. This heavy reliance on online platforms can limit children’s thinking and perspective, constraining them to a specific way of thinking.
Health Problems: Excessive use of technological devices can lead to health problems, especially for children. The more time kids spend on these devices, the less they engage in physical activities, which can affect their overall physical fitness. Being heavily reliant on social media can lead to addiction, impacting children’s mental and cognitive abilities. Overuse of social devices can also contribute to weight gain or loss. Moreover, excessive screen time can erode children’s morals and dignity, impacting both the quality and quantity of time they spend on digital devices. Maintaining a balance between screen time and other daily activities becomes difficult. Parents can help by monitoring their children’s activities closely.
Browsing Online Can Be Dangerous: Browsing the internet exposes children to various sources and potential dangers, including viruses and deceptive advertisements. Children have unrestricted access to online content, but with proper monitoring, they can avoid visiting dangerous websites and interacting with harmful individuals. Parents can guide their children to steer clear of these dangers. One effective method to keep children safe online is by using parental controls and internet filtering tools. These tools allow parents to regulate the content their children can access and even block certain websites entirely.
Mobile Device Overuse Reduce Sleep Quality: Recent findings indicate that children are greatly influenced by excessive phone use (Domoff et al., 2019). Even when they’re not actively using their phones, many kids keep them nearby, with about 72% always having at least one device in their room. A study published in JAMA Pediatrics raises questions about the impact of having screen-based media devices in the sleep environment on sleep quantity and quality (Shychuk et al., 2022).
The excessive use of digital devices, particularly for social media, can contribute to less sleep among children, which can harm their mental abilities. Research has shown a strong connection between the overuse of mobile devices and poorer sleep quality. This lack of sufficient sleep can lead to cognitive problems and dysfunctional brain functioning, potentially resulting in disorders like insomnia, where individuals struggle to sleep and experience frequent awakenings, disrupting their sleep patterns and affecting their eating habits.
To address this issue, parents can educate their children about the pros and cons of digital device usage, teaching them how to manage their time effectively and prioritize sleep. Utilizing parental control apps can help regulate screen time, promoting a more balanced approach. Parents should also monitor their children’s activities and implement strategies to improve their sleep quality, such as setting a consistent bedtime routine and limiting screen time before bed.
How do we prevent tech addiction in children?
Impacts of technology on children is complex, multifaceted and dynamic. Parents and primary caregivers can establish boundaries and monitor their children’s activities by implementing the following measures:
- Implement a maximum 30-minute time limit for using mobile phones, computers, and other electronic gadgets.
- Create a structured schedule for device usage and incorporate physical activities to promote overall physical well-being.
- Prohibit the use of electronic devices in children’s bedrooms and ensure they are stored away after use.
- Supervise children during meal times, homework sessions, and bedtime, and establish limits on device usage at bedrooms and dining areas.
- Educate children about the responsible use of technology and acknowledge and commend them when they demonstrate self-control.
- Monitor children’s device usage alongside them, using this time to communicate, interact, and share family values.
Recommendations
It is concluded that while technology has made significant advancements, it is essential for the healthy development of children that parents and primary caregivers monitor and regulate their usage in context of impacts of technology on children. It involves observing their activities, setting appropriate time limits to ensure that device usage does not interfere with sleep or studies, and supervising their internet browsing to prevent exposure to inappropriate content.
Additionally, it is crucial to prioritize children’s physical and psychological well-being by ensuring they do not spend excessive time on devices. Instead, they encourage to engage in more productive activities online, such as reading, writing, and solving math problems. Initiatives such as access to online educational platforms enable students to acquire various skills, regardless of their financial means. Children are easily influenced by media, including television shows, and therefore, efforts must be made to ensure they are not exposed to harmful behaviors that may adversely affect their development.
References
Domoff, S. E., Borgen, A. L., Foley, R. P., & Maffett, A. (2019). Excessive use of mobile devices and children’s physical health. Human Behavior and Emerging Technologies, 1(2), 169-175.
Geržičáková, M., Dedkova, L., & Mýlek, V. (2023). What do parents know about children’s risky online experiences? The role of parental mediation strategies. Computers in human behavior, 141, 107626.
Gottschalk, F. (2019). Impacts of technology use on children: Exploring literature on the brain, cognition and well-being.
Hsin, C.-T., Li, M.-C., & Tsai, C.-C. (2014). The influence of young children’s use of technology on their learning: A review. Journal of Educational Technology & Society, 17(4), 85-99.
Pardhan, S., Parkin, J., Trott, M., & Driscoll, R. (2022). Risks of digital screen time and recommendations for mitigating adverse outcomes in children and adolescents. Journal of School Health, 92(8), 765-773.
Pásztor, J., & Bak, G. (2020). Digital divide: A technological generation gap. Management, Enterprise and Benchmarking in the 21st Century, 158-168.
Plowman, L. (2015). Researching young children’s everyday uses of technology in the family home. Interacting with Computers, 27(1), 36-46.
Rosen, L. D., Lim, A. F., Felt, J., Carrier, L. M., Cheever, N. A., Lara-Ruiz, J. M., Mendoza, J. S., & Rokkum, J. (2014). Media and technology use predicts ill-being among children, preteens and teenagers independent of the negative health impacts of exercise and eating habits. Computers in human behavior, 35, 364-375.
Shychuk, M., Joseph, N., & Thompson, L. A. (2022). Social Media Use in Children and Adolescents. JAMA Pediatrics, 176(7), 730-730. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamapediatrics.2022.1134
Yang, Y., Ma, Y., Zhou, R., Ji, T., & Hou, C. (2023). Internet gaming addiction among children and adolescents with non-suicidal self-Injury: A network perspective. Journal of Affective Disorders Reports, 14, 100609.
