Beyond doubt, technology has transformed lives. It has also thrown new challenges. Among the challenges includes new-age parenting amid ongoing pandemic. Work from home has added to the challenge, forcing parents, especially mothers, to strive for a difficult balance between children and managing chores.
The impact of cell phones and other facets of digital technology is far-reaching, especially among the young.
A recent survey by the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights found a strong correlation between addiction to smartphones and loss of concentration among children, with over a third of the young respondents checking their phones during study hours. Online schooling amid pandemic has led to increased use of smart phones by children.
As per the survey, 23.80 percent of children use smartphones while they are in bed, before going to sleep which increases with age.
The Study, based on a sample size of 5000 from rural and urban all the zones of the country, concluded that this has an adverse impact on children.
Use of smart phones at inappropriate times can have detrimental impact on the health and well-being of children, it underlined. One such impact, it said, is reduction in level of concentration among children.
As per the study, 37.15% of children, always or frequently, experience reduced levels of concentration due to smartphone use.
According to researchers, the use of interactive screen time on such devices could also impair a child’s development of the skills needed for math and science.
Radiation is another health concern. Cellphones work by using radio waves, which is a form of radiation. So whether you’re holding your device to your ear or sleeping with it near your head, your body may be absorbing this energy, according to the National Cancer Institute. However, research still hasn’t definitively linked this exposure to health problems in children and teenagers.
The frequent use increases children’s social isolation, robs children of time for social activities with others, and interferes with social development. In addition, frequent mobile use may increase children’s social isolation, resulting in depression and loneliness. Also, more time spent using media can displace time used for quality parent-child interaction, such as sharing enriching experiences and activities
Repeated exposure to violence and aggression through smart phone use including playing violent games or viewing violent media programs can lead to aggressive and violent behavior.
As technology crosses new frontiers, the challenges faced by policymakers would be manifold. There is daring need for inception of a culture that focuses on educating users, young and old, about conscientious application technology.
