The impact of technology on child development

The Impact of Technology on Child Development

It is undeniable how much technology has changed and continues to shape our lives. In addition to the great convenience that comes with today’s technological advances, there is a concern over the impact it has on the development of our children. Here, we will discuss the potential for both positive and negative influences of technology on child development.

Positive Influences

• Accessibility – Perhaps one of the greatest benefits that technology brings to our children is providing them with quick and unlimited access to information and resources. With this accessibility, it helps to encourage curiosity and sparks learning.
• Technological Skills – Becoming acquainted with technology helps children to better understand the world around them and how to use applicable knowledge to their advantage. It also introduces different forms of interaction, such as coding and programming.
• Creativity – Technology is a great tool to help children explore their creative limits. With its range of advancements, technology promotes a creative outlet as well as the chance to collaborate with others as they display their creative works.

Negative Influences

• Attention span – Oversaturation of technology could possibly lead to our children having reduced attention spans. Studies show that those exposed to a lot of digital media struggle with focus.
• Social interaction – With the rise of digital media, it may lead to less meaningful social interactions with others. A growing reliance on digital media could lead to an impaired ability to develop healthy social skills.
• Health issues – Too much use of digital media has been linked to physical health issues; such as obesity, carpal tunnel syndrome, sleep deprivation, and increased levels of stress.

In conclusion, technology can certainly be used as a tool of benefit to our children’s growth processes. However, it is important to be aware of the positive and negative impacts that technology has in order to ensure a healthy physical and mental development.