effects of technology on children
EFFECTS OF TECHNOLOGY ON CHILDREN
In today’s world Technology is everywhere. We use computers for almost everything in everyday life, including “babysitting” our children. Computers can have both positive and negative effects on children, while some of the negative effects on health and development are unseen. As adults, we understand the physical world around us and the concepts inside computer programs. Children, on the other hand, need to learn this with traditional play and outdoor activities. Adults, over about 30, know the world without computers. Our younger generations are starting to use computers at very a young age. They are maturing in a world of instant answers and satisfaction. The first of many issues is obesity. Computers are contributing to our growing epidemic of childhood obesity. Children no longer go out and entertain themselves with physical activities, like riding bicycles, playing outdoors with friends and sports. They are now leading more sedentary lives watching television, playing gaming systems, texting on phones or socializing on the internet. In fact, “the reported screen time varied greatly by age, however, ranging from 2 to 3 hours per day for ages 2 to 7, to nearly 6 hours per day for ages 8 to 13”. (Subrahmanyam, Kraut, Greenfield, Gross 2000 p 125) Our Children need to be guided and supervised so they get the benefits of technology, but not to cross the fine line to cause ill effects. There are also negative, unseen physical and psychological effects of technology. Carpal tunnel syndrome and tendonitis have been reported in repeated over use of wrist and thumbs. Seizure activity has also been report due to the flashing effects on the screens. To help reduce these problems, children should take breaks every 20 to 30 minutes. The break will not only rest their eyes, wrists and hands, it also increases circulation and relieves tension. In addition to negative physical
In today’s world Technology is everywhere. We use computers for almost everything in everyday life, including “babysitting” our children. Computers can have both positive and negative effects on children, while some of the negative effects on health and development are unseen. As adults, we understand the physical world around us and the concepts inside computer programs. Children, on the other hand, need to learn this with traditional play and outdoor activities. Adults, over about 30, know the world without computers. Our younger generations are starting to use computers at very a young age. They are maturing in a world of instant answers and satisfaction. The first of many issues is obesity. Computers are contributing to our growing epidemic of childhood obesity. Children no longer go out and entertain themselves with physical activities, like riding bicycles, playing outdoors with friends and sports. They are now leading more sedentary lives watching television, playing gaming systems, texting on phones or socializing on the internet. In fact, “the reported screen time varied greatly by age, however, ranging from 2 to 3 hours per day for ages 2 to 7, to nearly 6 hours per day for ages 8 to 13”. (Subrahmanyam, Kraut, Greenfield, Gross 2000 p 125) Our Children need to be guided and supervised so they get the benefits of technology, but not to cross the fine line to cause ill effects. There are also negative, unseen physical and psychological effects of technology. Carpal tunnel syndrome and tendonitis have been reported in repeated over use of wrist and thumbs. Seizure activity has also been report due to the flashing effects on the screens. To help reduce these problems, children should take breaks every 20 to 30 minutes. The break will not only rest their eyes, wrists and hands, it also increases circulation and relieves tension. In addition to negative physical