Children and the Touch Screen Technology

We are now living in a digital or Technology world. And we learned that Technology is an application of science to solve problems. And Technology is supposed to make our lives easier. And Yes, make us feel more connected. And in this article, we go through on how children and the touch screen technology affect their growth.

But nowadays it makes it difficult to raise our kids. Raising them the way they should be is getting harder.

Children and Touch Screen Technology. Our children know how to operate tablets and smartphones before they learn how to talk. Gadgets like tablets and smartphones are now the ” baby sitters”. And for sure we have all done it. We handed the gadget to our kids while waiting for our food at a restaurant. Or while we watch our favourite movie we let them play with their tablet.

Most parents are thinking that it is a win-win situation. Because as a parent you get to fulfill your day. And your child can learn something from watching and playing with the tablet.

Family time is now “tech time”. And this so-called “screen addiction can affect our children. Not only their health but mental and socio-emotional development.

Here are the things to consider that show how touch-screen use can be bad for your kids.

1. Prolonged gadget use affects the way a brain is developing.

More than 1 million new neural connections are formed every second. Children who are using gadgets more often lack opportunities for social interaction. And it affects their line of thinking as well as in brain development.

2. Problem behavior in school is sometimes linked to gadget use.

Preschool teachers have noticed an increase in cases of delayed speech. Short attention spans, less interest in active play, and difficulty in self-regulation.

Study has been done by school teachers who asked parents of hyperactive children with speech delay to do a “screen diet.” have had a remarkable result. Within weeks, they report a noticeable positive change in the children’s behavior both at home and in school.

3. Motor skills are suffering as well.

Gadgets may get our children to sit still. But it gives a false sense of prolonged attention and prevents children from engaging in movement activities.

4. Sleep is affected.

TV within two hours of bedtime can make it harder for children to fall asleep. The blue light emitted by screens on cell phones, computers and tablets restrain the production of melatonin. It is the hormone that controls your sleep/wake cycle or circadian rhythm. Reducing melatonin makes it harder to fall and stay asleep.

Everything is good if you use it in a positive way. And bad if we use it in a negative way. Some suggestions help parents by suggesting a limit to their child’s exposure to gadgets. |It is difficult to keep them away from gadgets but we can limit their time. Encouraging child to use it in educational field.  This can lead to a drastic change in their lives. It can help them to enhance their skills. The use of gadgets in a constructive way can lead to healthier and efficient minds.

“We live in an increasingly digital world. Rather than viewing our devices as something to be avoided, we need to develop habits that let us enjoy the plugged-in world without checking out from the real world. And that is easier said than done.“