Time To Unplug

           

Photo from LittleThings.com 

    While technology is improving for what we think is best, it is increasing the time we use smart devices. When we increase the time we use smartphones, iPad, tablets, and laptops, our children are also using them. Studies have shown that children's excessive use of technology does have adverse effects on their behavior and development. The use of digital technology leads to a lack of attention, aggressive behaviors, physical inactivity, obesity, and sleep problems in children.

           Only 40% of children met the recommended guidelines for screen time and physical activity. As the child ages, physical activity decreases, and screen time increases. For healthy development in children, it is recommended to have at least 3-4 hours of physical and social playtime daily. Lack of playtime and social interaction leads to childhood obesity. Studies have also shown that children who sleep with devices in their bedrooms sleep less with more sleep disturbances. The increased use of technology during the day can also cause less sleep at nighttime. (Rüstem Mustafaoğlu, 2018) Less social interaction, physical playtime, and reduced sleep patterns affect children's emotional development. Social media and digital devices hinder people's interaction skills and develop a sense of detachment. More screen time means less time to interact with people leading to decreased problem-solving skills, empathy, curiosity, and listening skills. (Dong, 2021)

           Children's brains are constantly developing, and having high exposure to digital devices and the internet could cause them to have an internet approach to things rather than a real-life approach. Previous generations were adapted to reading, imagination, and focal attention, whereas today's generation has adapted to visual stimulation, rapid change, and little need for imagination. Some parents today are guilty of soothing their raging toddlers with cell phones and tablets. Soothing children with technology affect the child's ability to self-soothe and regulate. When children cannot self-soothe and regulate, it increases aggression, which shows they are more likely to argue with peers or teachers and be less empathetic. (Dong, 2021)

           School-aged children are suffering academically because of their increased use of social media. Studies blame the issue on texting, abbreviations, and slang used on social media. Students become accustomed to instant gratification by reading the synopsis and watching quick videos rather than reading an entire novel. It affects their ability to write, comprehend and stay on task. (Dong, 2021)

Millennials were the last generation to grow up before handheld technology crept into our daily lives. Before smartphones, we had to wait until we got home to watch out favorite shows, and the computers we used in school were for classwork and classwork only—many of the computers in the school connected to the school's network and not the internet. There was no Facebook, Snapchat, or TikTok during class hours. Each generation has its technological advances. Baby Boomers grew up as television expanded, Gen X'ers with the expansion of computers, and Millennials during the internet explosion. Though there are no clear studies on the last impact of excessive social media use as children develop into adults, studies continue to understand the implications of excessive use. (Dimocj, 2019)

           The Covid-19 lockdown increases the use of the internet significantly. Schools were struggling to do something they had never done before, and students who desired participation in school were now learning to do things independently. There were many days when school would not be in session due to complications or students not having access to the internet. Some of the issues spiraled from parents not being as technologically advanced as teachers would hope and causing student learning delays. When students had the opportunity to have more playtime, they opted to play video games, scroll social media, and watch meaningless videos on the internet.

           23% of nursery-age children can access the internet. 50% of students in grades 1-5, 70% in grades 6-8, and 80% in grades 9-12 access the internet regularly. Your question is the same as mine: what are children accessing the internet? Adults typically access the internet to shop, bank, check the news, and maybe check in with friends and family on social media. Children access many things on the internet, depending on their age. Younger children are likelier to watch cartoons or interactive videos teaching them numbers and letters. Children's curiosity grows, and their ability to search the internet increases. Children ages 6-9 begin exploring social media, chat rooms, and more complex gaming sites, which reward them for their activity. They are also at a higher risk of interacting with predators and scammers.

(Frank, 2022)

How do we solve the issue of increased internet usage? We began to monitor students' behaviors on their devices—schools implemented browser lockdowns to stop inappropriate usage of school computers. Parents can monitor cell phones without touching their child's devices. We can begin to encourage playtime, interact with children more often with a conversation, and limit screen time to encourage hobbies. Children need time away from the screen to increase self-awareness, and social interaction skills, decrease obesity, aggression, and better sleep quality. These are proven facts. It is easy for someone without children to say take away the devices when it is all your children have known their entire life. As a parent, it is more complicated when you must work full-time. It would help if you had something to occupy your child's downtime to give yourself time to breathe and relax. It is hard to do these things, but it is hard to ignore the facts of what screen time is doing to children of all ages. What are you doing to aid your child's developmental skills?

-Jaleesa

Diggin' This Information

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References

Dimocj, M. (2019, January). Defining generations: Where Millennials end and Generation Z begins. Retrieved from Pew Research Center: https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2019/01/17/where-millennials-end-and-generation-z-begins/

Dong, M. (2021, January). How Technology Affects Child Development. Retrieved from Hayes Hall Gazette: https://desis.osu.edu/seniorthesis/index.php/2021/01/17/how-technology-affects-child-development/

Frank, N. (2022, March). Young Children and the Internet: What Puts Them at Risk? Retrieved from We Have Kids: https://wehavekids.com/parenting/Young-Children-and-the-Internet-What-Puts-them-at-Risk.

Rüstem Mustafaoğlu, E. Z. (2018, August). 

The Negative Effects of Digital Technology Usage on Children's Development and Health*

. Retrieved from ADDICTA: THE TURKISH JOURNAL ON ADDICTIONS: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Rustem-Mustafaoglu/publication/325263798_The_Negative_Effects_of_Digital_Technology_Usage_on_Children's_Development_and_Health/links/5b027b564585154aeb061acf/The-Negative-Effects-of-Digital-Technology-Usage-on-Children