According to Dan Costa, when the average kid graduates high school, he has spent 11,000 hours in school, and more than 15,000 hours watching television, Kids under six years old spend more time watching TV and playing video games then they do read (Costa 1). Technology offers many opportunities for children to play, explore, and learn, but too much technology can have a negative effect on children. Traditional technology has been around for decades, this includes televisions and their content. Modern technology has been recently developed which includes smartphones, tablets, and computers. Traditional and modern technology can have negative effects on children’s development and health. Technology has a negative effect on children as it can lead to psychosocial impact, physical abnormalities, and a decline in social skills, therefore technology should be used in a limited amount.
In today’s society, there are many technological tools, which each have their own effect. One of the oldest sources of technology is television. It plays a large role in children’s daily lives due to the captivating and entertaining nature. However, watching an excessive amount can lead to significantly influence language development and behavioral disturbances (Mustafaoglu 14). Another source is the computer; this tool can negatively affect academic success due to the low concentration it takes to use, lack of attention and disorganization and underdeveloped language skills. The computer has allowed children to become virtually active in the world without making human contact. The internet goes along with the computer while being a great source of information it can also be a great source of danger. It allows easy access to illegal, violent, sexual content, and communication with strangers. These are all significant risks for a child of young age (Mustafaoglu 14). There has been an increase in the use of smartphones over the past decade. Smartphones have recently been associated with passive-aggressive, unprotected, socially incompatibility, obsession, addiction, and anxiety. These are characteristics that people do not want to be associated with their children. Lastly, digital toys have become a major part of the technological tools used in children’s lives. Digital toys have caused the underuse of outdoor playgrounds, which may negatively affect the normal development of children (Mustafaoglu 15). For normal development, children need to spend time outside with their peers, creating relationships and social skills
Technology can impact the mental health in children, also known as the psychosocial health. It can cause similar symptoms of Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD). ADHD is a mental disorder that is inherited through a person’s genetics. It refers to the problems of paying attention, excess activity, and difficulty controlling behavior (Sundus 2). Michael Manos, Ph.D., from Cleveland Clinic states “the frequent use of technology affects how we behave and connect with one another” (Children’s Health Team 2). Manos has found the similarities between excess technology and ADHD. Technology requires attention and several quick reactions. Every time an electronic device buzzes or dings someone has the inclination to grab it. This is similar to a behavior of ADHD. Technology does not cause Hyperactive Disorder, but it does cause similar symptoms of it (Children’s Health Team 3).
Technology is a good thing in small doses. When children are exposed to large amounts of screen time it may cause childhood depression and anxiety. Children can be introduced to depression at certain ages through technology. It can cause children to feel isolation; children seek out relationships through the internet to find a connection that feels real. It is real until it is not there. The lack of relationship can lead to mental health issues such as depression. Technology also causes a lack of relationship between parents and their children. This can also lead to isolation, which may lead to depression. Technology can also cause anxiety. Anxiety is the fear of future events and reaction to current events. Children who suffer from anxiety may appear nervous, shy or fearful. They might avoid people, places or activities, instead of turning to technology. A child might also show aggression or appear tense when they cannot have their phone or go online. This is another sign of anxiety. Technology is where they go to hide from their fears, shyness, and nervousness (Sundus 2).
As a child, sleep is important for the development of the brain. According to Rustem Mustafaoglu, a research writer for Addicta, keeping any type of technology in the bedroom in early childhood is associated with less sleep. It can cause an increased amount of sleep disturbances (Mustafaoglu 16). The blue light that is emitted by technological devices can restrain the production of melatonin. This makes it harder to fall and asleep and to stay asleep (“Screen Time and Young Children” 9). Technology also keeps your brain alert when it is trying rest. It can also wake you up in the middle of the night. Children typically do not have telephones, but other devices such as electronic toys could make noise. Also, poor sleep quality is now being associated with excessive internet use and duration of digital technology usage prior to sleep in children. This can cause irregular sleep patterns as well. Sleep patterns can be disturbed depending on the amount of screen time during the day.
Children’s excess use of technological devices in terms of content, duration, and frequency can cause a variety of physical problems such as eyesight, musculoskeletal problems, and obesity. The average person blinks fifteen times in a minute. However, due to the high attention rate required while using an electronic screen this rate can drop to less than five times a minute. The screen brightness and distance can affect a person’s vision; continuous watching can cause long-term distress. Kids can suffer from various problems like eye irritation or having the difficulty to focus for a while. Ultimately to much screen time can cause long-term vision problems. This is not uncommon for children today because the average child spends 8 hours watching electronic screens (Costa 1).
Musculoskeletal system issues also can result from overuse of technological devices. Musculoskeletal disorders are associated with physical factors such as sex, age, body mass index, and expose to sedentary activities. Musculoskeletal disorders are injuries to muscles, tendons, ligaments, nerves, discs, and blood vessels. When children do not get enough activity, the musculoskeletal system does not fully develop (Mustafaoglu 15). Due to this fact, children who have an increased amount of screen time have more injuries. This is why it is encouraged to play with toys and get outside activity instead of screen watching.
Excessive use of technology is linked to lifetime obesity and cardiovascular risks. Researchers are finding that this relationship is starting from early childhood. The more children use their mobile devices, the less physical activity they do. In the United States, more than 1,000 parents reported that their children under the age of six used technology an average of 1.58 hours a day, played outside an average of 2.08, and spent approximately 39 minutes reading (Mustafaoglu 14). The more that kids use their mobile devices, the less physical activities they perform. The other problem is commercial tv exposing children to advertisements for unhealthy foods and encouraging snacking during technological activities. This has caused an increase in children’s food intake, which leads to significant weight gain.
Screen watching can affect a child in more than just mental and physical, it can also affect a child’s social skills. The use of technology can cause language and speech delays. Speech refers to the verbal form of communication, whereas language refers to the whole system of communication spoken or written, verbal and nonverbal. Language delay means that a child can pronounce words but cannot speak sentences. Researchers have studied that the more time children spend on smartphones, tablets, and electronic games, and other handheld devices, the more likely the child will have speech and language delays (Sundus 2). Every minute a child spends on an electronic screen is one more minute they could be learning with other humans. Children are becoming more and more virtually connected with their friends. This does not allow them to have real human relationships with each other. When they spend an excessive amount of time online, they are not able to have interactions with their family. This creates a weaker bond between them and their parents. Overall, watching an excessive amount of television and an excessive amount of computer use can cause underdeveloped language and relationship skills.
Technology has led to an increase in violent behavior. Violent video games can lead children to aggressive behavior, which causes violent actions. There is a strong link between violence in video games and real-life violence. Studies have shown that violent video games can desensitize people to their emotions, causing aggression. The longer time spent watching violent behavior the more prone they are to have aggressive behaviors, feelings, and thoughts. Some believe that violent video games can be the cause of later criminal behavior (Mustafaoglu 15). Unfortunately, there have not been very many studies completed on the effects of violent video games on children under ten. It has been studied in adolescence.
Technology can affect children negatively, but their parent’s use of technology can also affect them negatively. Parents should be aware of their screen time as it takes away from their interaction with their children (Mustafaoglu 17). Children see what they do, this may cause another negative effect on them. Children under the age of four should play games rather than being exposed to technological devices. It will help them develop creative thinking and problem-solving skills. It is also more effective to have hand-held books than e-books. E-books do not support skills like page turning and cannot provide the same senses that you get from turning pages as you do from traditional books. E-books also do not allow the parents to interact with their kids while reading. The e-book uses sound effects and animations which can interfere with the comprehension of books later on in the child’s life (“Screen Time and Young Children” 4). These little things all contribute to the development of a child.
Even with all the negative effects of technology, it can still be a positive thing in small amounts. Technology has allowed children to learn new things. Children are able to access educational websites, this allows them to succeed in their studies. It also allows children to develop better motor skills. These skills are linked to the muscles that aid with small movements such as lips, fingers, wrists, tongue, and toes. Motor skills can be used through technology by playing games on tablets or other gadgets. Technology can also improve cognitive skills. Cognitive skills are the ability to process information, reasoning, and remembering things. These skills directly relate to the memory of children. Today’s technological advancements have allowed a faster development of cognitive skills (Sundus 2). Another positive effect of technology is the distraction it may cause. This eliminates some parents worry about a child getting injured or harmed.
Technology can be a good thing, but too much can be bad for children. Over the years, there have been advancements in the technological devices, but these advancements came with negative effects. Excess technology can cause many psychosocial issues such as attention deficits, childhood depression and anxiety, and poor sleep patterns. It can cause similar symptoms of Hyperactivity Disorder. Technology can also lead to isolation which may cause depression and anxiety. Sleep patterns can also be disrupted due to the excess amount of screen time. Physical abnormalities can result from technology. It can cause failure of eyesight, musculoskeletal diseases, and obesity. Technology can change the social adaptive skills of children. Children can have speech and language delays as a result of technological tools. Children can also develop an aggressive attitude from the violence found in video games and other digital technology. A decline in social skills, physical abnormalities, and psychosocial impact are all negative effects of technology when used in large amounts, however, technology can be a positive thing when limited.