Put Down the iPhone: Negative Effects Technology is Having on Children

Technology has changed rapidly in the last 50 years. It has only been a few decades since any of us had access to the internet, and even in that short period it has gone from an entity only used by major corporations, to something accessible to almost every American citizen at any given time. We now carry the world of information in our pockets, and the implications of that are vastly unknown. However, there are several negative effects that we do know of and should be careful to not foster in our children from an early age. 

Busy Bee

Children are notorious for having a very high level of energy. That boundless exuberance and curiosity can frequently lead to a short attention span. The thrill of what lies just around the corner or over the next hill drives a childlike sense of adventure and wonder. However, the persistent use of technology as means of coping with that energy only serves to add negative fuel to the fire. Why bother stopping to smell the roses when the tulips are just one screen away? The next application, the next video, the next game all just feeds into a never ending cycle of new. This type of behavior can severely hinder cognitive focus in a developing child and make it difficult for them to learn essential skills needed to grow into a young adult.

Uh…Hi?

The ever growing technological landscape we live in means we are spending more and more time behind screens. From consuming our favorite shows, to playing the latest game to now even working our entire careers. This isolation has made it more and more difficult for adults to interact with one another in person. That trend and its lasting ramifications also trickle down to the next generation. Formulating their entire existence online provides severe social challenges for children as they continue to grow. The inability to handle simple social exchanges can increase anxiety and hinder a child’s ability to thrive in environments they may find too challenging.

The World In My Hands

The world we live in is both terrible and beautiful. Life is always going to challenge us to rise to the occasion and grow. The constant reliance on technology can severely stunt a developing child from wanting to experience all of the wonder a life has to offer. Why travel when I can watch someone do it? Why study and learn new information when I can simply search for an answer then completely forget it. Why form opinions on social topics when someone yelling on the internet will suffice? The more a child feels like the world is already in their hands, the less likely they are to want to actually step outside their own door and truly breath it in.