Dangerous Ruler: Negative Effects of Technology on Child Development

Technology. It can be described as a useful servant, but a dangerous ruler. It has been said that humans no longer use technology, we live it. Everyday, millions of social media users share their life with the world through technology. Technology has been apart of human life for quite some time now. We use it for entertainment, to access information and to assist with jobs or tasks. We are in the era of technological advancements and children are taught how to use computers and mobile devices from a tender age. Young and impressionable children are connected with the world through television and devices.

Technology has a tremendous number of benefits, but, when used by unmonitored children, it can be very risky. If unguarded, technology can negatively impact children in many ways. Extensive research has proven that technology can negatively impact a child’s social development and mental health. The use of technology also has physical effects on children, such as obesity. The unmonitored use of technology can distract children from their education.

Technology can negatively effect a child’s mental health and social development. Eccles, a psychologist stated that a child is most impressionable during ages 6 to 14. These are the years that children begin to develop a sense of individuality. Nowadays, children those ages are “glued” to their cellphones, television or video games. According to Hatch (2011), a professor, “Growing children require human interaction in order to properly develop. Young children require between three and four hours a day of physical activity and human ‘touch.’ According to Dr. Ashley Montagu, infants that are deprived of this amount of human touch and play exhibit more agitation and anxiety, and may become depressed in early childhood.”

Since the era of technology, there is a drastic decline in the number of children that go outside and encounter human interaction. According to Kupfer (1995), a professor, “Technology addiction can lead to social isolation which is characterized by a lack of contact with other people in normal daily living. A study was conducted by the Kaiser Foundation in 2010 on the way youths ages 8 to 18 use media. In 2010, it was stated by the foundation that children spent 6 hours and 37 minutes using electronic media. The time has increased since then because of new technological advancements. Extensive use of technology can lead to neurosis which is a non organic mental illness which causes stress and the inability to feel relaxed, a student at Oakland University.

According to British Columbia’s Society of Occupational Therapists, the increased use of sensory is limiting children’s sensory and motor development which makes it difficult to obtain basic skills needed for literacy. When the use of technology substitutes human interaction, a child can become disconnected and aggressive because of their lack of practice communicating with other humans. The increased use of technology in children has been proven to lead to a number of social disorders.

Additionally, allowing children to use technology unmonitored, specifically social media can lead to cyberbullying. Many times children, specifically teens send inappropriate or embarrassing photos of themselves to others or on social media apps like Facebook. This may lead to a child being bullied or harassed from others on the internet. Cyberbullying can lead to depression, anxiety and even suicide. In 2012, Amanda Todd a 15-year-old, committed suicide because she was a victim of cyberbullying. Parents should limit their child’s use of technology to prevent social disorders, developmental issues and mental health illnesses such as depression.

Secondly, technology can physically affect children. Too much of any sedentary activity can lead to obesity and other health conditions. Therefore, the extensive use of technology by children can cause health issues. Since children can be entertained inside their home (by playing video games, watching tv and searching the internet) they participate in less outdoor activities

like sports and other games with friends. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the prevalence of obesity was 18.5% and affected about 13.7 million children and adolescents. The obesity rate in children has tripled in the past 20 years. In addition the US National Library of Medicine and National Institutes of Health asserted that “Randomized controlled trials of reducing screen time in community settings have reduced weight gain in children, demonstrating a cause and effect relationship.” They also stated that, statistics proposed that screen media exposure coaxes obesity in kids and teens because of increased eating while watching and high calorie foods marketed or advertised.

Furthermore, children can develop vision problems if they are constantly looking at their device screen. It is advised that individuals look away from their screen every 20 minutes for 20 seconds. These problems can be avoided if a child’s technology use is monitored and limited.

Lastly, the unmonitored use of technology can distract children from their education. In the workplace and college classrooms, adults are constantly distracted from their tasks by their mobile device and social medias. Therefore, employers and lecturers have implemented a cellphone policy that prohibits the use of their devices, but the temptation is still strong. If adults are distracted by technology, just imagine how tempting it is for kids. According to Alghamdi (2016), “A study done on a 1000 students in 10 different countries including China, Chile, the U.K and Uganda were unable to voluntarily unplug themselves from using any technological devices for only 24 hours. The study also concluded that students felt frustrated, lonely, anxious and had heart palpitations.”

Children are tempted to go on social media, watch tv or play video games when they should be completing their homework or studying. Children sometimes take their devices to school and use them during class time. This can prevent a child from learning. Students choose to check their messages and social medias instead of focusing on a task. Consequently, if a child is allowed to use technology unguarded, they may get distracted from their education.

The unmonitored use of technology can negatively effect children. Technology should improve our life, not become our life. Technology can negatively impact a child’s social development and mental health. The use of technology also has physical effects on children, such as obesity. The unmonitored use of technology can distract children from their education. Technology can be a danger to children if used too much. Children encounter less physical interactions, go outside less and are easily distracted because of technology. Yes, technology has a tremendous amount of positive effects but extensive use can be dangerous.

Works Cited

1. Eccles, J. (n.d.). Child Development and Parenting: Early Childhood. Retrieved from https://www.med.umich.edu/yourchild/topics/devmile.htm
2. Hatch, M. (2011). The Importance of Physical Activity in Children. Michigan State University Extension. Retrieved from https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/the_importance_of_physical_activity_in_children
3. Kupfer, J. (1995). Social Isolation: A Modern Plague. Retrieved from https://www.psychiatrictimes.com/view/social-isolation-modern-plague
4. Rideout, V. J., Foehr, U. G., & Roberts, D. F. (2010). Generation M2: Media in the Lives of 8- to 18-Year-Olds. Kaiser Family Foundation. Retrieved from https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/ED527859.pdf
5. Oakland University. (n.d.). Effects of Technology on Mental Health. Retrieved from https://www.oakland.edu/shs/health-promotion/health-topics/mental-health/effects-of-technology-on-mental-health/
6. British Columbia Society of Occupational Therapists. (n.d.). Sensory and Motor Development: Babies, Children, and Technology. Retrieved from https://bcotc.ca/education/infant-and-children/sensory-and-motor-development/
7. Lenhart, A., Madden, M., Macgill, A. R., & Smith, A. (2007). Teens and Social Media. Pew Research Center. Retrieved from https://www.pewresearch.org/internet/2007/12/19/teens-and-social-media/
8. Hinduja, S., & Patchin, J. W. (2010). Bullying, Cyberbullying, and Suicide. Archives of Suicide Research, 14(3), 206-221. doi:10.1080/13811118.2010.494133
9. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2019). Childhood Obesity Facts. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/obesity/data/childhood.html
10. Alghamdi, R. (2016). Can You Live Without Your Mobile Phone? Exploring the Experiences of Students in Four Countries. Journal of Technology, Education and Policy, 7(3), 221-241. doi:10.1108/JTEP-03-2016-0009