We have seen a dramatic increase in the amount of technology available to and used by children over the last decade. We are now living in such a digital paradigm where our children grow up in a world surrounded by technology and the internet. One of the biggest differences in the way that children live today is that they don’t get as much exercise as their previous generations used to do. This is because technology such as computers, smart phones and television encourages them to be sedentary.
Technology is consuming a significant amount of children’s growing-up time while helping them develop an identity and connect with the virtual world. Access to technology helps children increase their cognitive and analytical skills. Today’s children are able to ascertain between competing facts more accurately and make decisions more quickly. Although technology does provide many positive benefits for learning, it also affects overall development of a child in a negative way.
Parents, teachers and guardians
should encourage children to
spend less screen time using
digital technology
Children's eyesight may be harmed by too much time spent on digital devices. A study published in the journal "PLOS one" found school age children who play computer or mobile video games seven hours or more a week triple their risk of myopia, or near-sightedness. Experts are of the opinion that children who spend more than two hours a day looking at a screen have worse memory, language skills and attention span.
The impact of prolonged screen time could change how children’s brains develop. It damages children’s capacity for originality and for critical and reflective thinking. It is found that those who use too much technology are more likely to develop the same brain chemistry as substance abusers. International Journal of Child Health and Human Development said kids have a lack of motivation for activity due to overuse of technology. Hence, leveraging the usage of technologies in child has become the need of the hour.
Parents, teachers and guardians should encourage children to spend less screen time using digital technology. We should encourage our children to play outside and do daily exercises which will help them reduce depression and anxiety. An all inclusive approach is needed from everyone to keep our future generation’s health in check.