If you would have told me 30 years ago that someday we would have personal phones that worked as computers and could transfer money, play games, or order pretty much anything you want on them, I would have thought you were crazy! The old me navigating with a paper map would have laughed at the thought of someday a voice giving you directions to help you to get you to your desired location. It is amazing how much technology has developed over the past few decades, and I can only imagine what is yet to come in our future.
Technology has made a lot of things easier for mankind, but not all of the results of technology are positive. Technology with personal screens such as phones, tablets, or computers have altered the way we communicate with one another. Texting and emails have taken away some of our face-to-face interactions, and it is easier to avoid social situations and to become isolated. It is very easy to get distracted with games and shopping or whatever and it can be addictive. The speed of technology improving over time has made us very impatient as we expect instant gratification and expect things to happen faster and faster. Having worked with children for over thirty years, I have noticed a trend with children nowadays having more difficulty waiting, and having higher expectations for immediate gratification. They also expect to be entertained constantly and are less able to soothe themselves when upset in positive ways.
As parents of young children, it can be very tempting to use our phones or devices with screens as a pacifier or babysitter for children. Children are drawn into screen time and it keeps them quiet and calm when you need to get things done. I see a lot of parents giving their child a phone in restaurants so they will behave while out in public, and this takes away from important social interactions, family time, and learning opportunities for your child. Too much technology leads to children being more sedentary and can contribute to childhood obesity. Research shows that overuse of screen time causes eye strain, and can even effect posture and cause neck issues.
It is so important to monitor what your child is watching online. As children become more proficient with using phones or computers, they are more likely to get into inappropriate material, or even worse, put themselves in danger. It is important for parents to learn about and use parental controls on devices that children access.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children under 2 years of age avoid screen time. For children aged 2-5, limit screen time to educational use and for only up to one hour a day on weekdays, and no more than 3 hours on weekend days. For ages 6 and older, they recommend to encourage healthy habits and to set age-appropriate limits for use. It is also suggested to turn off all screens during family meal times and outings. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends turning off screens at least 30 minutes before bedtime as the blue light emitted by screens restricts the production of melatonin (the hormone that controls sleep and waking cycles). Use of personal screens close to bedtime can cause disruptions in sleep patterns.
Technology has so many benefits that improve the quality of life. For bad or for good, technology is here to stay and will only continue to advance over time. It is important for parents to monitor and limit their child’s screen time for their health and well-being. ■