Kids and Technology: When is Tech Too Much?
- ahintz0
- May 12, 2021
- 2 min read
As you can tell, technology is taking over our lives, and the lives of future generations. Kids nowadays spend most of their time on iPads and computers, or watching television; and who can blame them when there is an endless supply of entertainment at their fingertips. This raises a certain question: how much technology should young children be exposed to?
Many believe (especially parents) that there are too many negative effects of technology on children, yet they neglect to look at the positive effects through recent research. Too much screen time at a young age has been proven to affect attention and social skills later in life. For more in depth information on how technology affects young brains, check this journal article:
So what are the benefits of technology use at a young age? Video games are perceived as a bad influence for many young minds, however many fail to see the positive effects it can provide. The well-known video game Minecraft is a perfect example. This game allows for children to build their own creations and interact with others in a safe and creative environment. This short Youtube video shows the game in action, being used in an actual classroom:
The positive effects of technology come with the proper use. Yes, there are negative effects if too much time is spent on certain devices, but that is just like everything else in this world. For example, eating Taco Bell is not inherently bad for you if it is done in moderation. However, if you eat as many burritos as you want every day with zero restriction, there can be some negative consequences.
With that being said, how do we know how much technology is too much, and how it should be regulated? This is the job of the parent or guardian of the child. These adults must monitor how much the child uses devices in order to keep them from too much screen time. They also must regulate what the child watches or plays in order to keep them from being exposed to any harmful content, which is another concern with technology use and children.
We live in a growing age of technology. It is not going to go away, and in fact it is going to become more and more prominent in our daily lives. We must learn how to properly integrate technology into the lives of young people in a healthy way in order to reap the benefits that it can have on them and their futures.
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