Kids on their devices is now as common an occurrence as fast food restaurants and bad drivers: they are everywhere. And that is a dangerous phenomenon.
According to the Pew Research Center, around 81 percent of children ages 5-8 use a tablet computer, with 59 percent using a smartphone as well. Before the release of the I-Pad in 2010, kids did not have convenient access to technology. However, since then, there has been an explosion in technology use.
If you’re seated next to an “Ipad Kid” at a restaurant, you’ll know it. Their behavior is a distinct characteristic, usually coupled with being obnoxious. When their devices are taken away,you’ll witness them crying like demons instead of little kids.
While we may look down on these kids and pass it off, there is an underlying danger to themselves and society as a whole. Unlimited access to technology and the internet will ruin the lives of many involved, and it is imperative that as a society, we take action to stop that.
Research from the Cureus Journal of Medical Studies shows that language development is negatively affected by increasing screen time, that kids are more likely to have trouble sleeping and with school, and that kids’ physical and mental health declines with frequent use of devices.
Additional research from the Cureus Journal also shows that there are structural changes in how the brain controls emotional and cognitive functions with individuals that have “addictive digital media behavior.”
While an Ipad addiction is different from a substance abuse issue, it is still dangerous, especially for kids with developing brains.
When I look back at my childhood, I am glad that my parents waited until I was much older before giving me access to any electronic devices, and that they regulated my time and use of said electronics. I was encouraged to go outside, make friends, and play around. I have fond memories of playing Nerf Wars and water gun fights with the neighborhood kids during summer.
Now, when I look at the younger generation, I notice that the idea of exploring and making new friends fades much quicker than it did for my generation. Sometimes, these “IPad Kids” miss out entirely and don’t get that chance at exploring a world outside their screens. And they don’t even realize what they’re missing.
If we allow new generations of kids to continue without restrictions, their social, emotional, and mental development will be stunted. As a society, we need tougher action, especially from parents and caregivers themselves.
Parents need to set limits on devices and the internet. It is easy to set up time and content limits on devices, there are hundreds of free tutorials online and you can always reach out to the manufacturers for assistance, and simply monitoring screen time can limit the detrimental effects.
However, it is extremely unfair to just blame parents and guardians for this crisis. Tech companies have maximized the addictiveness of their devices and programs to increase profit. In addition, parenting has become an even more complicated duty with rising costs and busier schedules.
It may seem like handing out devices is an easy way to deal with a bored or upset child, but it can become a permanent solution to a temporary problem.
