Technology and Its Effect on Child Behavior

Abstract

Technology plays a significant role in our daily lives, and it helps shape and change society. However, some of these changes can be detrimental to our well-being which is apparent in the social structures that we inhabit, and ultimately these technologies shape our thoughts and processes. Digital technology has lost its legitimacy and moral appeal in the eyes of the people, as it is consistently abused in order to simplify people’s lifestyles. This justifies the complacency of poor social interactions, laziness,poor development as well as emotional and physical dependence. Technology is the leading factor in the efforts to improve our lives, making them easier, more productive and more efficient (Walton, 2018). With the advancement of new technologies, society is able to overcome obstacles of time and social dynamics. Such technologies include but are not limited to cellphones, tablets, game consoles, and social media. Some say that people positively use of these technologies to learn about one another, be socially diverse, interact with families, maintain and strengthen familial relationships, communicate effectively, and be more socially adept (Zheng, 2018). The main focus of this article is on technological devices cause different health issue in young generation, precisely under the age of ten as well as some benefits.

Introduction

One of the negative impact of technology’s influence on society s is how our current generation has formed in response to it. Technology has changed our society in every aspect of life. For example, how we perceive institutions, and how we socialize with other people.This impact is visible when the current generation is held up against and compared to previous generations. Some of the major mental health drawbacks that digital technology brings include childhood obesity, diabetes, compromised eyesight, and digital eye strain (Siegel, 2018). The modern generation is so busy playing indoor video games and watching television shows for extended periods of time,they do not participate in outdoor activities. Likewise, technology also minimizes the hours of sleep in a night. Children face a lot of psychological problems due to the overuse of their cell phones during bedtime and therefore they do not get enough time to sleep (Zheng, 2018).

Technology has negatively impacted children’s health in a variety of ways. Childhood obesity, diabetes and eyesight weakness at an early age can lead to many other diseases which can be fatal later in life . An excessive amount of screen time causes other cardiovascular diseases, hypertension and other neurological problems (Siegel, 2018). Technology also plays an important role in the behaviour of children and the way they communicate with their parents, siblings and others. My main focus of the research falls under the three components: first, technology’s impact on children's physical activities, second, the effect on children’s mental health and lastly, to promote social relationships.

Digital technology impact physical activity

Children are successful in their lives until they start overusing technological devices such as mobile phones, tablets. Their screen time is directly related to physical activity which leads to obesity and other physical health problems (Siegel, 2018). Due to constantly looking at their devices children face digital eye strain, reduced vision or dry eyes. Research shows that constantly looking at the screen can decrease our blink rate by half which causes other muscle strains (Fares, 2017). Digital technology increases obesity in children by decreasing their physical activity as technological devices are addictive (Daniel, 2007). Most children consume food while on-screen or online and also the choice is usually the commercialized fast food with unhealthy fats. Inactive children spend more time on mobile phones than the active ones because different companies use food advertising through digital media thus leading to child obesity (Siegel, 2018).

One of the main causes of health problems is light-induced melatonin being suppressed by a blue screen at night time. Compared to adults, children have a higher melatonin suppression rate of melatonin (Lee-Il , 2018). Melatonin is a brain hormone that regulates the circadian rhythm of humans, which is suppressed by excessive use of digital media leading to lack of sleep with the decrease in Melatonin (Lee-Il , 2018). A decrease in melatonin in our body causes other neurophysiological and cardiovascular problems. Neck pain is common in the young generation because of the manner in which the mobiles and computer technologies are used contributes to stress and other physiological pain (Fares, 2017). Neck pain due to different distorted neck positions while on their cell phones or video games also increases stress and pain in the cervical spine, which can cause other health-related issues specifically in the younger generation. Likewise, excessive use of the phone causes “text neck”. This syndrome results from the constant forward head flexion stress (Fares, 2017).

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Mental health

Although the use of technology can have a positive impact on our lives, it can also be connected with the development of mental health conditions including depression, anxiety and loneliness in some individuals. Loneliness affects one’s health via psychosomatic pathways such as causing a lack of self-esteem, hopelessness, mastery and less perceived social support. Evidence supports that loneliness itself is a direct stressor, leading to an elevated stress-response system in the brain (Child, 2019). There is a correlation between depression and the use of social media sites, such as Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat and Instagram (Lin, 2016). A study revealed that people who used these social networking sites instead of active communication tended to report feeling less happy, moody and lazy (Ceulemans, 2012). Among high school students the rates of depression were higher in those who regularly use social media sites in their daily lives (Shensa, 2018). Social media can cause depression because people can evaluate themselves and compare themselves to other people without having a valid point, which can trigger feelings of low self-esteem (Vitelli, 2016). For example, an individual using a social media site may see other people on the site and assume those individuals are more successful, beautiful, have better jobs, rich, intelligent and so on. Thus, people assess themselves and feel as though their peers are happier than them leading to more feelings of depression (Walton, 2018).

One of the main reasons, the use of social networking site is associated with depression and anxiety is the fact that it's social networking, communication often give the wrong impression of physical and personality characteristics of other users. This can lead to a false conclusion dealing with physical appearance, level of education, intelligence, moral integrity in addition to other character traits of online friends (Pantiac, 2014) Harmful radiation emitted by technological devices has a direct effect on the human brain. Radiofrequency radiation has a harmful effect on child neurodevelopment and cognitive development. RF radiation effect more young children than adolescents because their brain is under development phase. There is a great chance of malignant tumour in children as compared to adults (Zheng, 2018).

Promote Social Relationship

Digital technology is used to promote social relationships. The younger generation uses technology to stay in touch with their friends. Most children have online friends and that’s where they tend to socialize. Online interaction is also good for children because they can make friends beyond their circles. Likewise, technology is connecting kids with their loved ones even though they live far away from each other. Kids virtually meet with their grandparents and with these interactions they develop cognitive skills. Technology can improve social and communicational relationships between parents and children with disabilities like autism. Different programs were introduced by researchers to help children improve their interaction through video modeling. Technology also helps improve communication between children and peers through information communication technology (Parsons, 2019). Even though there are benefits to online socialization, it is not recommended to allow kids to use their phone for anything other than video chatting (Zheng, 2018).

Conclusion

In conclusion, digital technology could have both positive as well as negative impacts on child development. Digital technology has an impact on physical and mental activities of children. Digital technology promotes social relationships. If there was no technology then people would have a difficult time communicating with their loved ones living far away from them and toddlers would not have the privilege to develop cognitive skills by speaking to their grandparents. Not every kid likes to socialize with others in person while most kids do like to socialize online. Therefore, with the help of technology, children can make friends and have a social circle around them. However, technology can negatively promote unhealthy social relationships if someone exceeds the moderate amount of use.

Modern social networking sites have negatively influenced people due to the fact that people spend more time on their phone or gadget than in face socializing with their peers, workmates, and families. Thus, it leads to weak interpersonal skills, mental and personal health issues. Spending too much time on the computer can strain your neck and upregulate addiction to social media which can in turn lead to social isolation.Furthermore, digital technology can have a negative impact on the society. In one example, a young person hits a girl with his car while driving. In another example, a girl committed suicide just because of frustration with the wireless network. Therefore, technology can have positive as well as negative impacts on childhood development. Too much use of technology could hurt children mentally and socially while moderate use could lead to tremendous increase in cognitive social skills and could have a positive relationship with the people around them (Zheng, 2018).

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