Young people are often accused of misusing modern technology. However, watching television helps them gain awareness about what is happening around the world. Unlimited cell phone texting and calling allow them to communicate in promptly and freely. Constant access to the internet helps them with their school duties.
In its 2015 publication “Teens, Social Media & Technology”, the Pew Research Center reported that 92% of teens say that they go online daily. Three-quarters of responding teens have access to a smartphone through which they can use the internet. According to a 2011 Pew study “Teens, Kindness, and Cruelty on Social Network Sites”, parents noted that the internet and mobile devices help their kids to find the necessary information, make connections with friends and family, and become more independent. Technology can also help with the process of learning - internet and digital search tools have had a mostly positive impact on students’ research work according to 77% of their teachers. There are many benefits from modern ICT, but there is also a real and beautiful world outside where people can spend some quality time with friends and family.
The negative side of the technology is that kids are exposed to inappropriate content, it provides a platform for poor online behavior, and it takes time away from face-to-face interactions with family and friends. Research shows that 77% of parents feel that their children are distracted by technology and don’t engage in interpersonal relations when they are together. Moreover, 72% of teenagers feel the need to immediately respond to messages and other notifications. A typical teenager in a day spends up to nine hours on texting, gaming, watching videos and posting on social networks. They are doing it even while they write their homework. This kind of multitasking can hurt their ability to stay focused since their attention shifts abruptly whenever a new message or notification arrives. 87% of the teachers agree that technologies are creating an easily distracted generation with short attention spans.
In the early years, the way parents behave has a great impact on forming children’s social values and norms. What do they often see? Mature people take their phones not just to talk to people, but also to watch numerous videos, play games whenever they get a chance, and take pictures of themselves in a bathroom. The kids want to take part in it. It’s the same with teenagers. You can’t forbid them to use their phone in the house while you are doing it yourself. Teenagers loathe hypocrisy.
If you want to curb overly excessive technology usage, you need to set boundaries for everyone in the house. It would also be good to ask your child to propose the rules. This contract should contain what they do and how much time they spend on it in exchange for their technology privileges. It also should contain consequences of not abiding by the household rules. To make it equal, you allow them to say what they think you should do to earn your technology privileges and list of consequences if you do not abide them. After that, you can start the negotiation process in which you can work on exceptions like a very important business call, but then you should allow your children an exception of their own. During the negotiation process, you should let your children lead, but, of course, as a parent, you can form a list of terms you think are fair. In the end, you write up the agreed rules and hang them up somewhere in the house. And you respect the rules, addict!
There is no question that technology will continue to accelerate faster than our ability to anticipate and deal with the consequences. To harness the good and curb the harmful, we need to stay informed and conscious. Parents have a rather difficult but worthwhile task of developing practices that will allow their children the space for growth and progress while keeping them safe and free of technology addiction.
Have a wonderful day, week, and life!
I usually balanced my life with technology and nature, after i've done some post for couple of hours, i usually walk outside and feel the beauty of our mother nature. :)
That's the right thing to do! Although I've written about the need to find this balance, I must admit that I often don't. I tend to be at my PC, then in my bed, then at my PC, then at my bed, lol. However, I'm dancing tango almost every evening. : )
I don't necessarily see technology as a bad thing and I even think it's great that it's developing so fast! But you're absolutely right when it comes to children and their role models. I think children nowadays get to phones, tablets & computers way to soon and I've seen it too many times (especially in restaurants) that when a kid annoys a parent they just hand them a device to play a game. When it comes to raising kids, especially to punishment or presents, the technology changed everything! Very interesting post :)
Thank you, @theywillkillyou! 😊
I agree with you 100% - the technological progress brings vast benefits to our society. It's only important to make sure that kids also get to feel and get used to the nature and direct social interactions too. : )
Great post.
I personally dislike toddlers and kindergarten aged children utilising handheld devices. Social interaction and fine and gross motor skills should be their focus.
I personally love how the internet and technology allows me to find answers almost instantly
Although on a side note, my youngest now 18, had an ipad which he used right through high school - all assignments done and sent in electronically. He has really bad handwriting as a consequence. I do concede it may have been terrible regardless and I should be thankful he wasnt judged on this, only the content he was submitting.
Thank you for reading and resteeming, @lovelivinglife. : )
I guess that pretty handwriting is becoming a sort of endangered species. Yes, technology can help immensely (moreover, it's necessary) with school tasks but parents should make sure that kids also get used to the nature and direct social interactions. 😊
Hey @lifenbeauty, just came across your blog and found the topics you have chosen to discuss very intriguing!
I totally agree with what you have said about setting boundaries. And in order for these boundaries not to appear as controlling restrictions, it is good to think what your priorities are.
Once you've set your priorities in place (i.e. quality time with fam), having boundaries just helps you preserve these priorities.
Looking forward to more of your posts! (:
Hey @joeylim, thank you for stopping by.
I agree with you, boundaries are a tool, not the goal.
Cheers! 😊
Many people are losing their sights and many more are needing glasses these days than ever before. And this is caused by mobile technology. Most kids can't seem to do without their phone, and this has robbed them of useful association as well.
Yes, mobile technology is one of the fastest developing technologies, which can cause problems when not being careful. Thank you for reading, Blessing/Bleble. : )
Technology definitely has its pitfalls, however, it also does bring about a lot of opportunity. I do agree to some extent that children nowadays are growing up in a world bombarded with information, games, resources and sometimes this can cause addition or other negative symptoms. However, we cannot discount technology itself, as for what it has to offer, it is far superior to some of its shortcomings. Together we can minimise the disruptive nature of technology, especially on children, that way we can benefit the most out of it.
Cheers for the post!
I absolutely agree the technological progress brings immense benefits to us. It's only important to make sure that kids also get to feel and get used to the nature and direct social interactions too.
Cheers, @chunger! : )
Very authentic and Informative guidance you shown in this post you are Technology these days is misusing I think instead of benefits mostly young generation getting disadvantages from recent technologies but this situation can be control if parents pay some attention strictly on their children as you have shown in post there should be boundary of everything use but today there are no limits I hope it will be better soon due to spreading of awareness keep it up @lifenbeauty
Thank you for your support, @ajmalaftab.
I agree with you - smart boundaries are crucial to get most of the benefits while preventing most of the disadvantages from new technologies.
Welcome @lifenbeauty
@ lifenbeauty you selected good topic. 👍👍
I would like to add my point of view. Kids should have been discouraged from excessive use of cell phones & internet rather they should been encouraged to participate in healthy & social activities like sports & games & get togethers. This will mental & physical health.
Thank you, @nbp.managerhr.
Yes, it's immensly important to encourage young people to also play sports, relax in nature, and spend some quality time socializing with their friends without technology. : )
👍👍. Keep sharing good things. Stay blessed.
@lifenbeauty keep sharing & discussing these social & awareness topics. 👍👍
Thank you, I will! : )
These gadgets emit dangerous radiations very injurious to kids developing body parts. We should refrain them from use of gadgets.
Agreed, I didnt even consider the EMF emissions.
Yup. It’s really important & we need to spread awareness as you are already doing. 👍
very nice follow you thanks..
gadget addiction is more dangerous than drug addiction.
Wow kool post
You are addressing a very serious problem in the society nowadays. You can see it everywhere - everyone is on their phones all.the.time! I am not gonna pretend that I am any different but the truth is I have had huge troubles focusing for years now and I can point my finger towards my phone and my laptop.
Not sure if creating house rules for kids to limit their use of technology is gonna help - a lot of kids take it personally, believing that their parents want to control them (I have seen it a few times). Not sure what to do with it though...
I guess that the best approach is to be very tactical while creating rules - let the kids propose the rules, talk with them, make sure that you respect the rules too (if you can!), etc. : )
Are you sure? Do you think that kids would be able to propose rules to limit themselves? Ok, maybe I am not giving them enough credit. I just always keep thinking of my two little hyperactive and misbehaving cousins that no one wants to babysit anymore since they are just driving everyone crazy xD
:D :D
Psychologists clam that it's important to get kids involved in rules-making, although, of course, as a more experienced negotiator, parents can use arguments and explanations to make sure that the final rules are approximately what they had in mind prior to the discussion. : )
Hmm, I'll try to discuss it with my cousins then but if I end up tied up and stored in a closet, then I know who to blame :D
:D Good luck : )
informative
Technology now a days is very useful but it depends on how we will used it. Some youth are abusing it that's why they are addicted to some games and other activities, but if they will used it correctly a brighter future awaits them. Thank you for sharing information
You're welcome, @che-nie. The technological progress have brought vast benefits to our society, but it's important to make sure that young people also get used to the nature and direct social interactions. :)
Many infants and adolescents use technology constantly in their lives to escape from reality. When an addiction is established by games, substance intake or technology, it starts from dependent personality traits, no matter the object
I agree, addictions are often developed to escape from reality.