There is no escape from technology nowadays. From a very young age, people are substantially impacted by it. Devices, including smartphones, computers, tablets, and other forms of technology, have affected children’s learning and how they spend time unnecessarily on these devices. This essay argues that technology carries several disadvantages for young children and significantly impacts their lives. This essay will argue that technology carries significant disadvantages. The essay will first discuss the advantages and disadvantages of how technology enhances and hinders the cognitive, social, and emotional development of young people.
One of the benefits of the new style of electronic devices is that they offer advancements in technology, providing children with easy access to information about their academic life, where they have access to many applications that make learning more interesting and enjoyable. This includes applications such as those that improve your English or other languages. These tools also help young learners develop useful skills such as more creativity and searching for information, which are important for their education and future careers (PMC,2020). Moreover, technology supports the development and maintenance of social ties between young individuals and those within their support systems, including family and friends. It enables young learners to communicate efficiently, exchange visual content, and maintain relationships across distances, even if they live far apart. This can help them feel less lonely and supported by their talents and make learning fun. (National University,2021)
However, there is concern that children of very young age groups are exposed to digital technologies, which can affect their mental and physical health. (National University,2021). Even though children will be interested in watching different programs, experts suggest that children under the age of 5 should not spend more than an hour a day in passive activities in front of a smartphone, computer, or TV screen. Children under the age of one are advised to avoid any exposure to electronic screens. Extensive research in cognitive psychology has demonstrated that humans possess a finite capacity for sustained attention and can only maintain focus on a specific task or stimulus for a limited period. This capacity is not fixed and varies depending on several factors, such as the nature of the task itself and individual drivers like interest, motivation and personal experience (Chun et al,2011; Oberhauser,2019). According to data, children between the ages of 11 and 14 spend as much as 9 hours per day on their screens. Moreover, a survey conducted by the Pew Research Centre reveals that 95% of teens in the United States have access to a smartphone, with 45% admitting to being online “almost constantly”. These statistics underscore the pervasive influence of technology on modern childhood, raising pertinent questions about its effects on developmental outcomes. (Living Well,205) The goal is for children aged 5 years old to replace electronics with physical activities or practices that involve interactions in the real world, such as reading and listening to stories with caregivers.
Even though children will be interested in watching different programs, playing video games, and operating with app-based technology, it is important for parents to ensure that children are getting enough exercise. Moreover, the relationship between digital device use and cognitive development is not uniform, as it is modulated by individual differences and contextual factors. These include the nature of the content consumed, the interactive versus passive engagement with the device, and the displacement of other developmental activities. As illustrated by the displacement hypothesis, the displacement hypothesis posits that screen time might displace time spent on cognitively beneficial activities such as reading and face-to-face interaction, leading to potential developmental delays. Parents and carers should encourage children to play outdoor games, for instance, playing hide and seek, tag, grab a mitt and a ball and play Catch, a frisbee around at the park, which can help them to be physically active (National University,2021). Technology has many benefits, even though it can also pose problems for young people. One significant issue is that many children and teenagers use their phones, iPads or computers for excessive hours per day. This can lead to addiction, where they feel like they should play games or watch videos all day and do not think about other important tasks like homework or exercise; therefore, sitting too long in front of the screen can hurt their health as well. Technology can also influence their emotions. Excessive social media use can cause school-aged children to express emotional dissatisfaction, anxiety and inadequacy, especially when they compare themselves to others online. Another problem is cyberbullying, where someone is unkind to others on the internet. It can harm their comfort and make them feel isolated. While technology provides advantages, such as easy access to educational resources and enhanced social connectivity through platforms like Instagram and WhatsApp, it also has significant downsides. Early exposure to screens can negatively affect mental and physical health, with excessive screen time leading to issues, a kind of addiction, and cyberbullying. Data shows young individuals frequently exceed recommended screen time limits. The essay underscores the need for a balanced approach, advocating and educational guidance to optimise technology use, fostering healthy development while mitigating associated risks. (Pew Social Policy Institute, 2015).
A key recommendation of this essay is that technology has both positive and negative impacts on early childhood education. It can help students to support learning, understand communication, improve how they work during that period, and help develop skills; however, it can cause addiction, harm physical and mental health, and expose young people to work together to use technology in a healthy and balanced way. The appropriate use of technology may promote both academic success and lifelong learning in children and teenagers.