There is no doubt - technology is very useful for us, it made our lives so much better in many ways. We don’t move anywhere without a charged smartphone or a tablet. Although it has improved our lives, it has a negative impact on kids.
source: https://sites.psu.edu/siowfa15/2015/09/30/babies-and-technology-a-good-combo/
As we are observing children nowadays, they seem to entertain themselves in very different ways comparing to past generations. When we were kids, most of our time we spent outdoors, playing with others, using our creativity in many different kinds of plays and games. We used our imagination a lot. It was a real fun for us, not to mention we were building some relations with other children, friendship which sometimes lasted for a long time even after we grew up.
But taking a look at kids today we can surely say that something has changed. Now it is all about electronics. Video games and movies, various types of electronic devices...Tablets, smartphones, consoles. It doesn’t have a lot in common with imagination.
But are the kids many different to what previous generations were?
For sure we can easily notice that they grow up a bit faster. The so called age of innocence is becoming shorter than before. Nevertheless, they are still kids. In my opinion their minds should stay innocent as long as possible. It is beautiful and it is something worth fighting for.
Even without our knowledge, technology can accidentally affect our kids. There are some examples of dangers awaiting them everywhere:
- Porn spam. - You never know when these repulsive adverts will pop up on the screen.
- No privacy. - Nowadays we raise our children in the environment where it is absolutely normal and approved to share and post everything you do - every single step in your life, your beliefs, things you like or dislike and so on.
- Lies. - Internet is full of people who present themselves as people they are not. It is very easy to lie, because no one can check you. Children often have no idea who they are actually talking to and that puts them in danger of perverts and sexual abuse.
- “Outside world”. - Kids have a misrepresentation of building relations with other people. Adding somebody on Facebook or following him on Youtube is never the same as truly making friendships by meeting with others, playing, being with them for good and bad.
- Laziness. - Why to get up from bed or chair when you can have a lot of fun right where you are? Children are actually getting too much involved in video games or some applications to just quit it and go to play in some other creative way.
Certainly technology changed the way children entertain. Now arises the question: is it a change for better or worse?
Here is a short video reportage about the topic:
Personally, I believe that children should have something to do with technology but not too much. Most of their time should be spent with other kids, either playing outside or inside, but not always before the computer or a console screen. It kills their creativity, ability to use the imagination and possibility to make good friends and memories connected to them.
What is your opinion on the topic?
Do kids today spend too much time looking at screens, should they spend more time playing outside?
Can you think of other ways in which the Internet can affect kids?
Thanks for reading!
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Sources:
https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/the-power-prime/201304/is-big-media-slowly-killing-our-children
Comments
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RF4WuVRGiZM
In my opinion very much depends on the attitude of parents. The important thing is how much attention parents devote to their children. They must ensure that their children not only spend their time in front of computer and TV. I think that if we can properly organize time our child and show other ways of entertainment than just the technological gadgets that he won't surf only on the Internet. Of course, it's not that new technologies are totally wrong, there are also toys that teach, for exapmle: https://www.techwillsaveus.com - this is really interesting project, these are toys that teach code from an early age, so children gain skills very useful nowadays while they are having a great time :)
Technology isn't bad, you have to use it wisely. And it is important to show children how they should use it too.
It’s true that children today amuse themselves in very different ways to past generations. When I was a lad (see, there I go again), the vast majority of our leisure time was spent outdoors.
Let’s also not forget that the technology e.g. Internet provides a wealth of opportunity for kids to expand their horizons. It is impossible to claim that everything which is connected with tech is killing childhood. In my opinion this all comes down to parenting. The technology, for better or worse, is an integral part of the world we live in, and just like every other aspect of the world, it’s up to parents to do their best to teach kids how to deal with it.
Some years ago mom told me there was really big problem with electrionic devices. Parents didn't understand it's forbidden to leave children with tablet or mobile. In my opinion it's insane! One day I saw a situation when man came to my mom and caused a big quarrel, because a teacher didn't allow a child to play with smartphone. He gave smartphone to his child because he wanted this child could contact with him all the time.
Another example is when 5-year-old boy fell asleep in the midnight on the keyboard. What were his parents doing? They were sleeping, because... it was midnight!
Now, there are much more conscious parents who want their children use tablets or mobiles, but for a some (specified) time. So a big problem changed into advantage. In my opinion, using the Internet or playing improve child development, but as every thing - it must be used in a proper way.
Another problem are teenagers on social networks. I think, that they should be banned until they reach 15 or 16.
Parents should also teach their children how to use technology properly and safely, what is safe to post on your facebook wall and what is not etc.
I see this as a bad thing, because our society becomes a lazier one. We are no longer being thought to be active and therefore when we become adults we will prefer to stay at home in front of a TV than going out for a hike in the mountains. I think that we all should do as much as we can in order to change it. This will only give us benefits.
Therefore, if using technology with children, please do it wisely.
I think that in schools there should be more time spent explaining about dangers of internet and posting everything on social media. Maybe with some real life stories about it. Even adults are often unaware of it.
It will literally never happen. Plus I don't see how would it be done.
It's natural that kids get to know new technology beacuse they are more exposed to it and it's getting cheaper.
I agree that kids spend too much time watching tv but that is not their fault. This is because parents are more and more busier and they don't have time to spend time with children.
I'm sure you shouldn't cut kids off from technology entirely and I think they should be introduced to smart devices and computers pretty early. If we limit our kids time with technology they might end up staying behind their peers.
I think it looks a bit different in every family. Personally I'd like to introduce my children (if I have any) to graphics software, drawing tablets, really basic programming, good games (both new and old as an element of pop culture). Some things can be limited, like TV or video games.
As for the problems mentioned in the article - you can set up filters and blocks on your devices so you won't get flashed by inappropriate adds and content. It's also incredibly important to talk with kids, to explain that people on the internet might pretend to be someone else and most of all that anything that once got on the internet will forever stay on the internet. Worst case scenario is loosing contact with our children and not know about their interests or how they spend their time. If we have other activities, like sport, meeting our friends and generally stuff other than playing video games - our kids will probably too.