Why handheld devices should be banned for young children
From the time a child
is able to walk and talk, they are exposed to all kinds of electronic devices
and gadgets. When you start to notice that your child is spending more time fiddling
with your iPad or smartphone, then it’s time to cut back. Here’s why handheld
devices should be banned for young children:
1. Rapid Brain Growth
When your child is very young their brains are like sponges, they will pick up on every single thing you say and do. All early brain development is determined by the environment around them. When a young child is constantly overexposed to things like smartphones, tablets, TV’s and other electronic devices they can develop some serious problems: attention deficit, cognitive delays, impaired learning, increased impulsivity and decreased ability to self-regulate (tantrums!)
When your child is very young their brains are like sponges, they will pick up on every single thing you say and do. All early brain development is determined by the environment around them. When a young child is constantly overexposed to things like smartphones, tablets, TV’s and other electronic devices they can develop some serious problems: attention deficit, cognitive delays, impaired learning, increased impulsivity and decreased ability to self-regulate (tantrums!)
2. Delayed Development
When your young child uses technology, it restricts their movement. This can result in delaying their overall development. Studies show that one in every three children will start school developmentally delayed, which negatively impacts their literacy and academic achievement. In order for your child to develop and learn adequately, use of technology under the age of 12 should be avoided.
When your young child uses technology, it restricts their movement. This can result in delaying their overall development. Studies show that one in every three children will start school developmentally delayed, which negatively impacts their literacy and academic achievement. In order for your child to develop and learn adequately, use of technology under the age of 12 should be avoided.
3. Epidemic Obesity
Have you noticed that many children that sit and play on digital devices, like iPads, PlayStations and smartphones are generally overweight? A recent study showed that children who are allowed a device in their bedroom have 30% increased incidence of obesity. Another sad fact is that 30% of children who are obese will develop other life-threatening problems like diabetes, strokes and heart attacks.
Have you noticed that many children that sit and play on digital devices, like iPads, PlayStations and smartphones are generally overweight? A recent study showed that children who are allowed a device in their bedroom have 30% increased incidence of obesity. Another sad fact is that 30% of children who are obese will develop other life-threatening problems like diabetes, strokes and heart attacks.
4. Sleep Deprivation
Often when we put our smartphones down and get ready to go to bed, we find that it is extremely hard to fall asleep – this happens for children too! 60% of parents don’t even bother to supervise their child’s technology use and 75% of children are allowed to have technology in their bedrooms, so children could be staying up until all hours of the morning playing on their electronic devices. In the end, this too results in bad grades and slow learning.
Often when we put our smartphones down and get ready to go to bed, we find that it is extremely hard to fall asleep – this happens for children too! 60% of parents don’t even bother to supervise their child’s technology use and 75% of children are allowed to have technology in their bedrooms, so children could be staying up until all hours of the morning playing on their electronic devices. In the end, this too results in bad grades and slow learning.
5. Mental Illness
Overusing technology is one of the factors that causes child depression, anxiety, attachment disorder, attention deficit, autism, bipolar disorder, psychosis and problematic child behaviour. In a recent study from Canada, one in six children are diagnosed with mental illness, many are also on dangerous psychotropic medication.
Overusing technology is one of the factors that causes child depression, anxiety, attachment disorder, attention deficit, autism, bipolar disorder, psychosis and problematic child behaviour. In a recent study from Canada, one in six children are diagnosed with mental illness, many are also on dangerous psychotropic medication.
6. Aggression
Violence in TV shows, movies and games can in fact cause child aggression. Many young children are increasingly exposed to extremely violent games, many of which portray swearing, sexual violence, murder and torture (Grand Theft Auto). It is advised that you never let your young child play violent games or expose them to violent TV shows or movies.
Violence in TV shows, movies and games can in fact cause child aggression. Many young children are increasingly exposed to extremely violent games, many of which portray swearing, sexual violence, murder and torture (Grand Theft Auto). It is advised that you never let your young child play violent games or expose them to violent TV shows or movies.
7. Digital Dementia
Children who can’t pay attention cannot learn! High speed media content on smartphones, tablets and TV’s can cause attention deficit in young children, not to mention decreased concentration and memory.
Children who can’t pay attention cannot learn! High speed media content on smartphones, tablets and TV’s can cause attention deficit in young children, not to mention decreased concentration and memory.
8. Addictions
As parents rely on technology more and more to teach their children simple things like counting and reading, they are becoming detached from them. Children need real life experiences to learn, and technology cannot provide that for them. Without a parent to guide them a child can become addicted to technology. Studies show that one in 11 children ages 8-18 years are addicted to technology!
As parents rely on technology more and more to teach their children simple things like counting and reading, they are becoming detached from them. Children need real life experiences to learn, and technology cannot provide that for them. Without a parent to guide them a child can become addicted to technology. Studies show that one in 11 children ages 8-18 years are addicted to technology!
9. Radiation Emission
In 2011, The World Health Organisation actually classified cellphones as a category 2B risk due to radiation emission! So, it’s been confirmed that electronic handheld devices can be extremely dangerous to not only you, but your child too. A warning was sent out stating that children are more sensitive to a variety of agents than adults as their brains and immune systems are still developing.
In 2011, The World Health Organisation actually classified cellphones as a category 2B risk due to radiation emission! So, it’s been confirmed that electronic handheld devices can be extremely dangerous to not only you, but your child too. A warning was sent out stating that children are more sensitive to a variety of agents than adults as their brains and immune systems are still developing.
10. Unsustainable
These days, children are being raised and educated with technology, but this way is not sustainable. It’s true, children are our future, BUT there is no future for children who continue to overuse technology! In order for this to change we need to seriously reduce the use of technology by children.
These days, children are being raised and educated with technology, but this way is not sustainable. It’s true, children are our future, BUT there is no future for children who continue to overuse technology! In order for this to change we need to seriously reduce the use of technology by children.
For all your IT services contact us at The Computer Guyz in Cape Town or Centurion. We can offer you a wide variety of options, from general IT support and repairs to graphic design and website hosting.
Written By: Christine Romans
CopyWriter at The Computer Guyz Cape Town
CopyWriter at The Computer Guyz Cape Town
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