Technology's Affects on Children
Solutions:
Problem:
Propsosal:
Technology has impacted everyone in the world’s life. From the beginning of an infant’s life technology is affecting them. It could be the ultrasounds taken during the pregnancy or the medical technology used during and after the birthing process. Technology is also a huge part of many young children’s lives. Parents nowadays are using technology as if it is a babysitter, teacher, and for some even a parent.
An over usage of technology leads to:
Learning Disabilities
Violence
Obesity
Many children are exposed to technology before they are even two years old, this is what makes children so attached to technology. Once a child is attached to a device, they won’t want to put it down. This applies to children and adults, but children are more of a concern because they are still developing and learning.
Yolanda Chassiakos the author of “Children and Adolescents and Digital Media” wrote, “Before 2 years of age, children are still developing cognitive, language, sensorimotor, and social-emotional skills, which require hands-on exploration and social interaction with trusted caregivers for successful maturation.”
Parents can work with their children hands-on so that their children don't develop any learning barriers through an over usage of technology.
This evidence shows that children learn better through in-person interactions better than through technology. Without in-person interactions, children can experience learning barriers. Damaging a child’s learning capability is a major effect that technology could have on a child, but there are many other negative effects that are also caused.
When young children get into a habit of using technology daily, it will lead to obesity because it will take away from the time they need to be spending outside. According to the CDC, young children and teens need at least an hour of exercise each day.
“High levels of media use are linked to obesity and cardiovascular risk throughout the life course, but these associations are observed starting in early childhood. For example, heavy media use during preschool years is associated with small but significant increases in BMI, which sets the stage for greater weight gain later in childhood” (Chassiakos).
Using technology often will decrease the amount of physical activity. Children want to use technology because they are constantly surrounded by it, but it’s not the best thing for a child.
When children use technology for violence, they become addicted to violence. Some are able to limit their violence just the games, but others are no longer satisfied with the violent games. The people who aren’t satisfied with the violent games, generally look for violence in the real world. Technology leads to violence when young children are exposed to it.
“Because strong associations between violent media content and child aggressive behavior have been clearly documented, parents should continue to monitor the content of their children’s media. Today, more children own and use mobile devices independently, making monitoring and regulation much more difficult” (Chassiakos).
In the world we live in today, it is challenging for parents to be able to monitor their children’s devices. Because of this, children are able to be exposed to violent media and could become violent in the real world.
Parents can practice healthy habits with their children so that their children don't become obese.
Parents can try their best to monitor their children's devices so that they don't become violent from the usage of violent games.
I propose that the usage of technology by children needs to be monitored and minimized to prevent learning barriers, obesity, and violence.
This could cause behavioral problems in the home because the child may not want to corporate.
A solution to this is rewarding the child for good behavior with a small amount of technology time.
If the child was never exposed to technology this wouldn't be a problem at all