TECHNOLOGY TAKING CHILDHOOD AWAY FROM CHILDREN

In the present day world, the I.T. age, the age of computers, laptops, Androids, Blackberrys, I-pads etc. its impossible to see life without the use of some technology or other.

While Technology is indeed a boon and the revolution brought about in the industry has completely changed the way we live, there seems to be some major drawbacks like misusing the technology or addiction/fascination of latest gadgets etc.

Presently, a gadget is no more treated a helping device, but has evolved more as a status symbol and there is this fascination of having the best one in the market, whether one truly has the use of it or not.

And such fascination is not only in the youth or the adults, the children are more attracted towards the gadget world. We have barely come to a conclusion that how much of watching the television should be permitted to kids. Now we have a host of other issues like how much of internet is acceptable to kids?, how much just how much should a kid learn about and use the cell phones and tablets? The market for kids is much greater than those of grown ups. About 72 percent of iTunes’ top-selling “education” apps are designed for preschoolers and elementary school children. The market is flooded with electronic games and apps for the kids. On the surface things appear to be pleasing, The interactive apps, the educating apps etc. makes parents feel proud when a child responds to the screen. However, looking deep inside, how well do we know about what the children are actually learning or how are our children developing amidst these gadgets. Are we not experimenting? Is this not a trial and error method ? Have we not just accepted the technological evolution without knowing its long term effect on the future generation(s)?

Experts say kids need physical engagement in all activities. All over the world and throughout time, children need to play. We know that learning in the early years is active — that kids learn through direct play and hands-on experiences with people, with materials, and in nature. They need to manipulate objects physically, engage all their senses, and move and interact with the 3-dimensional world. This is what maximizes their learning and brain development.

However, there has been a significant decline in the growth in creativity of children, especially, the younger ones from kindergarten to third standards students. The reason being that a lot of the time children spend with screens takes time away from the activities we know they need for optimal growth. Children today are playing less in physical world than kids played in the past. The so called smart kids are just high scorers in the virtual world.

What they lack is the experience of the real world. The games or apps on a device is merely a representation of the real world, manipulated to suit the app. Hence what it lacks is the physical involvement of the brain, hands and other senses of the child as a result of which, the overall and required growth is not achieved.

Another problem is the significance of the educational apps during the foundation years. A kid might learn to tap the correct icon in 2 + 2 = 4. But it is superficial since the child learns it by repeated number of plays. It least helps him to understand the concepts of number or addition for that matter.

The parents also use the technologies to distract the child from an emotion. If a child is crying because his father is leaving the city for a business trip, the mother would give her a phone or a tablet to play on and stop crying. However, it negatively impacts the brain and the child is kept away from the emotions. Emotions separate us from the animals. While such practice seems to be working at that time, it is harmful in the long run since the child fails to look beyond them for happiness and consolation during tough times.

Such addiction also leads to other deceases, like obesity, poor eyesight. What can we expect of a child who has always been confined in the four walls and constantly on one screen or another. A lazy couch-potato. Isn't it?

As a solution to the above, parents must control the use of technology themselves. Because it the life-style of the elders around -especially parents- that the kids catch up the most. Parents should avoid buying electronic games as much as possible. Instead they should spend time with their children and introduce them to more tangible stuffs not virtual stuffs. And even while buying a product, there should be a deep thought given to the foundational learning of the child. They should know what input of information or otherwise will the instrument have on the child.

Technology is a curse or a boon is another argument. What should be noted here is the correct age for the use of such technology. The parents, busy with their own life often find it easy to buy a gadget to a child and keep him occupied. But is that not stealing the childhood from children?