Photo by Rami Al-zayat on Unsplash
There are many benefits to using technology however, there are negative side effects from inappropriate or overuse of technology that can have long-term effects.
We can see it everywhere, this technology or the misuse of it is breaking humans apart. So said to watch people on the airport, lobby’s or any waiting area holding their cellphones. Everyone is holding on to something, watching, messaging, chatting or just scrolling on the feeds. Very seldom that you will see someone reading a book.
Research published by the Lancet child and Adolescent Health, tracked the daily habits of 4,500 children (ages 8-11 years old) who were then asked to carry out detailed-cognition tests. Their findings:
- Children who spend more than two hours a day looking at a screen have worse memory, language skills, attention span and executive functioning.
- Cognition skills were best in children who got between 8 – 11 hours of sleep, less than two hours recreational screen time, and at least an hour’s exercise daily.
The 4 Negative Sides of Technology
#1. Technology Changes the Way Children Think
Article in Psychology Today says use of technology can alter the actual wiring of the brain, changing the way brain works. E.G. – video games may condition the brain to pay attention to multiple stimuli, it can also lead to distraction and decreased memory. Always using search engines helps one find information but not remembering it. Technology may not give children enough opportunities to use their imagination or to read and think deeply about what they are reading.
#2. Technology Changes the Way Children Feel
Technology can affect a child’s ability to empathize. Lack of face-to-face interaction makes children less sensitive to nuances inexpression.
Overuse of technology can affect a child’s mood – one thought is that with less physical contact, children might have difficulty developing social skills and emotional reactions.
#3. Technology Can Put Privacy and Safety at Risk
In 82% of online sex crimes against children, the offenders use social networking suites to get information about the victim’s preferences. Also, the anonymity of technology can also make it easier for people to bully others online.
#4. More Use of Technology with Less Physical Activity Leads to Obesity
The more time a child spends on technology, the less time they will do exercise and physical activities. By using excessive amount of technology the body is not being used to its maximum capacity.
POSSIBLE RULES AT HOME:
Here are some possible rules at home that you can implement.
- Set daily time limits on apps an sites like Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, You tube and more.
- Ensure everybody gets a good night’s sleep by setting a bedtime for all your devices.
- Set individual filter levels by age )Pre-K, Kid, Teen and Adult) for each family member, and create costume filters for websites as well.
- Get full visibility on where your kids spend time online, organized apps and category
- If you prefer device-free family dinners, use a a single tap to pause the internet for any or all devices.
- Reward your kids for a job well done by giving them a little more time online or a later time.
- Keep an eye on screen time – You decide what’s the right amount of screen time for your child. It can depend on whether they’re using their device to read a book, watch videos or play games. You can use Family Link’s app activity reports to see which apps your child is using the most.
- Limit daily access. Set a daily limit – Family link allows to set daily screen time limits on your child’s Android device and set a bedtime to lock their device when it’s time to go to bed.
- Lock your child’s device remotely. Manage their devices or hide specific apps whenever its time to play, study or sleep.
IT IS VERY IMPORTANT THAT WE AS PARENTS ADDRESS THIS NEGATIVES OF TECHNOLOGY. WE HAVE TO TAKE ACTIONS FOR THE SAKE OF OUR KIDS, THEIR FUTURE!
