Many parents today assume that technology is a gateway to advancing learning in their children. It is estimated that 67% of parents whose children use electronic media believe that it helps their child’s learning. However, student school performance throughout this nation does not support this assumption. The reality is that the negative impact associated with technology has snuck up at a pace that has caught many off guard.
Learning is the acquisition of knowledge or skill through study. Study requires contemplation, time, attention, examination, and analysis. Children who spend extended periods of time on electronic devices can actually decrease their ability to concentrate, focus and actively engage in the process of learning.
While technology should enhance learning, educators are seeing first-hand that you cannot enhance what is not there to enhance. Technology has replaced learning how to think for oneself. High school English teachers regularly see students who cannot grasp the concept of a research paper; students who struggle to adequately process information, analyze events, connect ideas, summarize, make inferences, etc. Knowing where to locate information is becoming more important than possessing specific knowledge. If unable to Google answers directly, many students are at a complete loss. T
They aren't genuinely learning because they aren't studying.
Researchers and pediatricians warn against putting devices in the hands of young children during their formative years when brain development is critical. Electronic devices can easily become a substitute for standard childhood play. Traditional play is the work of childhood and the foundation for developing socialization and problem-solving skills fundamental to healthy development. Imaginary play is especially important. Because digital forms of play require no imagination, over time, the portions of the brain used in imaginary thought become underutilized and underdeveloped.
In many homes, electronic devices are used as babysitters. Infants and toddlers cease to solicit attention from their parents when given the opportunity to engage instead with an electronic device. Once children are engaged with a screen, parents will often follow suit. For many young children, screen time has become either a competitor or a substitute for time with parents. By the time parents realize what is happening and attempt to engage in a meaningful conversation with their child, the response may be indifference, disinterest, or both.
Electronic device usage that goes unchecked in children can lead to aggression, confrontational behavior, and addiction. The key to prevention lies in parents laying a foundation for technology use in the home when children are young, enforcing proper guidelines and exhibiting strong parental leadership. Parents who try to intervene when their children reach the middle or high school years will likely encounter frustration and disappointment. Many parents, concerned that technology use has all but ruined their child, have been forced to seek outside assistance when attempts to take their child’s cell phone or iPad away resulted in the child becoming irate, even violent!
The time has come for parents to step up with unwavering determination to do whatever it takes to establish and enforce appropriate technology guidelines for their children; actions that may require enforcing tighter time limits, closer monitoring of content, and possibly terminating the use of devices when observing concerning behaviors such as excessive amounts of time on devices, mood swings, anger, aggression, isolation, poor school performance, and disinterest in other activities. It is worth noting that the type and degree of pushback a child exhibits when parents enforce new guidelines may be the clearest indicator of the degree to which devices are impacting the child.
While society looks the other way, digital dependency is taking hold of many young children and teenagers. Certainly, electronic devices and other forms of technology are here to stay, as are alcohol, drugs, tobacco, gambling, and cars—all of which have the potential to become dangerous. We owe it to our children to properly educate them on the benefits as well as the dangers of technology and be diligent overseers. To stand firm in the face of naysayers and social pressure requires parental strength, determination, and confidence. In the end, we reap what we sow. Winning this battle will be well worth the fight.
© Sharon Knapp Lamberth, February 2, 2021
In response to the question about back-tracking: By the time parents find themselves in the "thick of the trouble zone" a major shift in how the family functions is in order. I refer to it as resetting the family dial. The first step involves parents apologizing to their child(ren) for letting them down by failing to properly address unhealthy behaviors within the family and as their parents, and heads of the household, it is their responsibility to get the family back on track - something they absolutely intend to do. The children need to feel the seriousness, sincerity, love and dogged determination in their parent's voices (but not anger) which is why I suggest the family meeting be at …
Wonderful article on the dangers to children of too much time too soon on technology devices! For many parents, the genie is already out of the bottle and they may be in the thick of the trouble zone! Are there any successful back tracking suggestions/steps a young parent can try before outside intervention is required?