Are Children Too "Wired"?
Fifty years ago, most children learned, did homework and entertained themselves without any technological devices. Half a century later, children are practically plugged into the technoverse, charging their brains with a cacophony of data. Gadgets provide today’s techno-savvy tots with everything they need: information, communication, and entertainment. Libraries and telephones have been replaced by web surfing and texting. Hanging out with friends can happen in person, in a chat room online, or during a video game contest on X-Box Live. As beneficial and “cool” as these gadgets may be, they do have their detriments as well, making it important for parents to decide if too much of a good thing can actually be bad.
One of the eldest of all gadgets found in every home today is the television. What was once a box containing a handful of channels and programs is now a universe of its own. Today, hundreds of channels containing thousands of programs are at every person’s disposal, catering to almost every interest. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, children should watch no more than 1-2 hours of quality programming per day. In actuality, the average child views double that amount, and what they watch may contain questionable material. Some programs cater to children educationally, such as public television, which help child learn useful tools like the alphabet, numbers and behaving properly. However, children who watch too much television run the risk of becoming couch spuds, as sitting in front of the television for many hours promotes laziness. Studies have shown that children who watch TV for prolonged amounts of time are more prone to being overweight. Parental control comes heavily into play here, as a child will rely on their parents to dictate their limits.
Video games have become a multi-billion dollar industry since home consoles became available for purchase nearly thirty years ago, and they show no signs of slowing down. A study performed by the NPD group in 2006 showed that one third of all avid gamers are between the ages of six to seventeen. As this number continues to grow, it is important to determine if gaming is helpful or hurtful to a child’s development.
In terms of helpful, video games do help children develop their coordination, show them how to apply problem solving skills, and assist them in using logic. Educational games in the market can also help a child by becoming an extension of their learning process. Some video games also contain a multiplayer option, which can help a child develop his social skills by interacting with friends while having fun.
The detriments to video games are equally arguable, as sitting in front of a television with a controller in one’s hand can also promote social isolation. The more a child plays a video game inside his home, the less time he spends outside interacting with others. Violent games available for purchase can be dangerous to a child’s development, as these games can possibly lead to aggressive behavior in their young players. Gaming tots also run the risk of confusing fantasy with reality, since actions that occur within a game are more than unlikely to happen in reality, or are strictly forbidden to happen for fear of consequences.
The Internet is the newer of the techno-habits sweeping the globe. Having only been around the consumer market for less than twenty years, the Internet has grown into an unstoppable juggernaut. Most schools, offices and homes today have Internet access, utilized for information access, email, shopping, and many other facets. According to the International Data Corporation, ninety-nine percent of public schools have access to the Internet, meaning children have a constant avenue of access to it, even if they do not have it at home.
The Internet offers a number of useful accessories for children to exploit. For one, it can be highly educational. Websites structured towards learning can further enhance a child’s knowledge by continuing their education at home. It can also be a useful reference source when doing studies and reports. The Internet also helps children develop motor skills by utilizing their hand-eye coordination on the computer. Children also use the Internet as methods of communication, through e-mail, chat rooms, and instant messaging. Although this list may seem heavily beneficial, within each one is a drawback. Since anyone can post information on the internet, children might find it difficult to discern between correct and incorrect information, which can affect their learning experience. The Internet is also open to adult content, which children could be exposed to. Sitting in front of the computer for long hours could be a detriment as well by giving the child the option to sit in a room with just a screen to stare at. On top of that, communicating in places such as chat room poses a danger, as a child never knows who he/she may be speaking with.
Cell phones are a form of instant portable communication that originally was an expensive, bulky convenience garnered towards those in a higher tax bracket. Today, they are sleek, small and affordable, so much so that traditional telephones have started to fade into the shadows of its mini-successor. Cell phones were initially geared towards adults, but now are being marketed toward younger users. Parents can be more at ease by giving their child a cell phone, as they can always get in touch with their child, and vice versa, at any time. Cell phones also are invaluable in emergency situations, which is another strong argument towards why children should carry one. However, giving a child a cell phone today leaves them prone to distracting themselves from the world around them. Aside from phone calls, a child can access the Internet, play games, and text on these tiny marvels. Also, health studies are underway to determine if cell phones are the cause of neurological health issues, so placing them in the hands of a growing child may not be wise at this time.
With technological advancements showing no signs of slowing down, it is important to remind children of the world outside the keyboard and controller. Being media and techno-savvy may be beneficial, but there are many things to enjoy in this world that do not require batteries, a plug or internet connection. The challenge today is creating a balance between the two, where everyone, parent and child alike, can combine both worlds and build on them together.
Anthony Ripo
Mommy & Me Correspondant
