Technology Negatively Affecting The Development Of Young Children

As our generations and technological world has vastly began to develop and expand rapidly, a repeated debate of whether technology use for young babies and children is beneficial or harmful to the physical and cognitive development of the child. As research has taken place to determine more answers around this topic, experts and parents from all different generations cast their opinion on the matter.

According to a 2010 Kaiser Foundation study, which involved elementary children, concluded that on average 75 percent of parents allowed their children to have bedroom TV’s, North American households keep their TV’s on for 50 percent of the day, and use 7.5 hours of technology entertainment per day (Rowan). Technology is becoming a problem throughout the United States, especially in elementary aged kids. Parents are introducing technology as early as infants so that they understand certain information at an early age. When parents introduce technology at such an early age they are giving their children the advantage to be addicted to the wonders of it. Young children are at a high risk of brain damage with the advancement of technology. The more adults introduce technology to younger children the higher the chances of problems it causes. Technology has a negative effect on younger children and should have limitations on the age in which it is being introduced.

Included below is a summary about the article titled “How Young is Too Young for Technology,” by Josie Gurney-Read, and published by Telegraph. This article talks about the positive and negative impacts when exposing young children to technology. First, Read opens up the article explaining that by the time children start school, 70% are already confident in using a laptop, tablet or smart phone. Read also notes, that 17% of children under the age of three have their own device. The article then discusses that the American Academy of Pediatrics says that children under the age of two should be discouraged from using technology and that preschool kids shouldn’t be using devices for more than two hours per day (Read). Professor Manfred Spitzer

With a flip of a switch or press of a button, Parents can have their child entertained for hours on end. Televisions and Tablets are the twenty-first century babysitters. The average child spends an astounding 7.5 hours per day on some form of technology (Rowan 2), when the recommend allotted amount of time should be no more than two hours (Kaneshiro 1). Technology is rapidly evolving, making limitless possibilities available for entertainment. This virtual “babysitter” enables the parents to devote all their time and effort into their work or engross in technology with limited amounts of distraction from the children. Although, the parents are able to have free time, excessive amounts of screen time is proven to be detrimental to their child’s health and overall well-being. The technology that is drastically making life easier is a big blessing, but at the same time is a big curse.

Technology can be positive towards a child’s development. If the child learns how to not take advantage of the technology given, then having them use it won't be a problem. However, what if the child does take advantage of the technology? DeLoatch explains, “Using technology can change a child’s brain.” Children who dependably using search engines may turn out to be great at discovering data, but not great at recollecting it. Moreover, children who utilize an excessive amount of technology might not have enough chances to utilize their creative ability or to peruse and contemplate the material. “Using technology,” explains DeLoatch, “can affect a child’s ability to empathize.” Abuse of technology can likewise influence a child’s own particular

It is said technology these days is pervasive, it floods our lives and for most of us we couldn’t imagine living without it. It is being used more as an entertainment tool and an educational resource for our children. But have we stopped for a minute to think about whether this technology exposure is good or bad? Although some New Zealand organisations provide guidance, it may now be time to create and communicate a country wide view that takes into account both positive, and negative effects that technology can have.

As I walked the toy isle of Wal-Mart, searching for the perfect gifts for my two nieces’, I realized that a majority of the toy selection was based mainly on modern era technology. By that I mean that there were toy cell phones, toy computers, toy tablets and etcetera. I rolled my eyes thinking to myself, is this really necessary? When I was a child and still received toys for Christmas it was all about the Barbie or dolls, kitchen sets, and dress up. Now it’s all about technology, for girls and for boys. Sadly most children aren’t even satisfied with these toy gadgets. They are already adamant about having the real thing. We live in an increasingly digital world, so I can’t say that I’m all that surprised that technology has become a part of twenty first century children’s upbringing. Children see technology everywhere; in contrast less modern technology stimulated cognitive growth, whereas more modern technology children are exposed to are designed to entertain more than learn. They see it at home being used by family members, at school, as it is now integrated into pretty much every content area, and it is always being advertised on television.

Technology is becoming more of a dependent in people’s lives. Everywhere someone goes, there will likely be more than fifty percent of people there on a digital device. People are usually always seen with digital devices such as; smart phones, tablets, and laptops. This is slowly making its way to younger generations, including infants and toddlers. Now, with growing times, children are getting into this habit of always using a digital device as well. Digital devices are being used for entertainment, tools, and communication. Children are given a digital device for either entertainment, learning, or just to keep them quiet. It is really up to the parent for what the device is being used for. Children who use digital devices at a young age with parental or teacher supervision may contribute to an increase their own ability to learn.

The use of technology has skyrocketed over the past few years, with a whopping ninetyfive percent of people utilizing the internet, constantly checking smartphones, and relying on other forms of media for entertainment, socializing, or work related instances. Compared with the digital satellites, MP3 players, and Palm Pilots of the 1990s, the technology today has truly advanced, causing many people to become dependent on media-related devices. More than fifty percent of today’s youth contribute to this dependency. What is not taken seriously enough is that this eagerness for technology is destroying the minds of young children by distracting them from important family values, causing various bullying issues, exposing them to violence, and

Today, advancements in technology are changing the way children learn and communicate. Phones, computers, tablets, and smart phones are examples of technology that are becoming engrained in children 's everyday lives. The impacts of technological advancements on a child 's development are still being explored and have not been fully established.

Technology affects children’s lives in not only bad but good ways too. We can use technology to do almost anything. We can look up answers to school questions, we can find anyones house,phone number and history by just typing their name into google. Technology is very beneficial to children. They can learn their ABC’s off of a toy now instead of a book. Doing research is a tad bit easier than going to the library and using the computer or checking out a book, you have a laptop, iPad, iPhone or iPod in the palm of your hand. Studies now show at just the early age of 6 years. Ph.D Jim Taylor has said “Thinking. The capacity to reflect, reason, and draw conclusions based on our experiences, knowledge, and insights. It’s what makes us human

Present day technology today has helped us connect with others miles away through E-mail, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and other forms of social media. Although technology was initially designed to improve communication, the reliance on technology has an adverse effect on many families and the children, in particular the problem that it causes interference in relationships.

Technology plays a major role in the classroom of today and it is important as a future educator to understand the influence technology has on the lives of young children. Traditional notions of education are no longer sufficient as we live in an era driven by information. New technologies are changing the way we think, live and work (Howell, 2012, pg. 11). For teachers this means continually reinventing their teaching pedagogy. It is essential that student-led learning is practiced in the classroom in order for students to become active and innovative learners. Developing digital fluency is also important when discussing the importance of technology in the classroom because allowing students to have constant engagement with and exposure to technology contributes to their life long skills.

The Wesley Sanders study (2016) outlines the rapidly increasing era of technology and parenting, and it highlights the effects of technology on child development. The prevalence of technology and media in the home is making significant strides with new and more advanced models appearing on a regular basis. “Tablet use especially is increasing, as the number of

Technology use in the lives of those going through childhood ages will forever be an ongoing debate. Childhood ages are those who are roughly between the ages of 2-12. The constant debate will stem from the idea that every parent or parents have their own unique way of raising their children. However, the question remains, does early exposure to technology have an effect on children? What is technology? “ (https://joeontech.net/what-is-technology-anyway.html)”. Forms of technology include computers, mobile phones, multimedia, software, games and apps, emails, blogs, texting, instant messaging, social networks, twitter and video conferencing, just to name a few.