Friday,22 March,2024
McCreadie Andias,
It has never been easier to be entertained, informed and connected.Our favorite shows, music, social media and the latest news are now available in the palm of our hand 24/7.
While we enjoy this convenience, kids are enjoying it as well. Too much, in fact.
With children getting smartphones at younger and younger ages while also having access to TVs, tablets, video games and other technology in the home, they’re getting a lot more daily screen time than previous generations.
In the digital age, children are growing up surrounded by technology and the internet. This has similarly sparked debates about its effects on their cognitive development. While excessive screen time and exposure to inappropriate content can have negative consequences, quality internet usage under appropriate supervision can actually boost a child’s IQ.
Firstly, quality internet usage provides children with access to a vast array of educational resources that can stimulate their curiosity and facilitate learning. Online platforms offer interactive educational games, videos, tutorials, and digital libraries covering various subjects such as mathematics, science, language arts, history, and arts. These resources are often designed to cater to different learning styles and abilities, allowing children to explore concepts at their own pace and in engaging ways. For example, interactive math games can make learning fractions or geometry more enjoyable and intuitive for young learners, leading to better comprehension and retention of mathematical concepts.
Moreover, the internet serves as a gateway to a wealth of information and knowledge from around the world, exposing children to diverse perspectives, cultures, and ideas. Through online research, children can access reputable sources, scholarly articles, documentaries, and virtual tours that supplement their understanding of academic subjects and real-world phenomena.
Exposure to diverse perspectives fosters critical thinking skills and encourages children to question, analyze, and evaluate information critically. As they navigate through online content, children learn to distinguish between reliable sources and misinformation, developing important skills for information literacy and research.
Additionally, quality internet usage can facilitate collaborative learning and social interaction, which are essential for cognitive development and IQ enhancement. Online platforms offer opportunities for children to participate in virtual classrooms, group projects, and discussions with peers from different backgrounds and geographical locations. Collaborative learning environments promote communication skills, teamwork, and problem-solving abilities as children work together to achieve common goals and share knowledge.
Furthermore, social networking platforms allow children to connect with like-minded individuals, mentors, and experts in various fields, expanding their social networks and learning opportunities beyond traditional classroom settings.
Furthermore, interactive educational apps and online platforms often utilize adaptive learning algorithms and personalized feedback mechanisms to tailor learning experiences to individual needs and preferences.
These adaptive learning technologies adjust the difficulty level, pacing, and content of educational materials based on a child’s performance, strengths, and areas for improvement.
By providing personalized learning experiences, the internet enables children to build upon their existing knowledge and skills, address learning gaps, and achieve mastery in different subject areas, thus contributing to cognitive development and IQ enhancement.
The question on how much time children spend on the internet on an average day is an interesting topic. The numbers might shock you.
According to research by The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the average daily hours by age group:8-10 years old: Six hours11-14 years old: Nine hours15-18 years old: Seven and 1/2 hoursAnd these figures don’t even include the time kids spend on screens for their school work.
Is there a quantitative limit?
Meanwhile, determining how much time is appropriate for a child to spend on the internet can be challenging, as it depends on various factors such as age, developmental stage, individual needs, and parental guidance.
But with these electronic devices so ingrained into our culture, how should parents set boundaries for their children?
pediatricians generally recommend the following guidelines:
Under 2 years old: Zero screen time, except for video chatting with family or friends2-5 years old: No more than one hour per day co-viewing with a parent or sibling5-17 years old: Generally no more than two hours per day, except for homework.
However, these guidelines serve as general recommendations, and parents should consider their child’s unique circumstances and needs when setting screen time limits.
Establishing guidelines and limits for screen time is essential to promote a healthy balance between online and offline activities and mitigate the negative effects of excessive internet use.
Excessive use of the internet and digital devices can foster negativity and have detrimental effects on a child’s physical health, mental well-being, and overall development.
Spending too much time on the internet can contribute to a sedentary lifestyle, leading to a lack of physical activity, obesity, and related health problems such as diabetes and cardiovascular diseases.
Excessive screen time may also disrupt sleep patterns, resulting in fatigue, irritability, and difficulty concentrating during the day.
Excessive internet use can also lead to social withdrawal and isolation, as children may prefer interacting with digital devices rather than engaging in face-to-face interactions with family members and peers. This can hinder the development of social skills, empathy, and emotional intelligence, making it difficult for children to form meaningful relationships and navigate social situations effectively.
There’s also a significant threat posing negative Impact on the child’s Mental Health with excessive exposure to online content, particularly on social media platforms, this can contribute to feelings of inadequacy, anxiety, and depression, especially among adolescents who compare themselves to others and experience cyberbullying or online harassment.
Continuous engagement with screens can also exacerbate attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms and impair cognitive functioning.
Furthermore, excessive internet use, particularly in the form of online gaming, social media, or compulsive browsing, can lead to internet addiction or problematic internet use.
Children who spend excessive amounts of time online may neglect other responsibilities, experience withdrawal symptoms when offline, and prioritize online activities over real-life interactions and activities.
Children are similarly exposed to Inappropriate Content from the internet. Without proper supervision and parental controls, children may inadvertently access inappropriate or harmful content online, including violence, explicit material, hate speech, and misinformation.
Exposure to such content can have a negative impact on children’s values, attitudes, and behavior, leading to desensitization, aggression, or distorted perceptions of reality.
How do parents manage internet addiction?
Restrictions such as prohibiting screens in the bedroom should be exercised , and children generally shouldn’t view a screen for two hours before bedtime. The reason is a screen’s blue light can prevent the brain from knowing when it’s time to get ready for sleep.
Instead of watching TV before bed, kids should engage in other activities, such as reading.In addition, If you need to cut back on your child’s screen time, don’t leave them to figure out what to do with that free time. Replace it with something positive, such as outdoor sports or other activities.
But aside from setting screen time limits, parents need to focus on face-to-face interactions with their children.
To mitigate the negative effects of excessive internet use, parents should establish clear rules and boundaries for screen time, monitor their child’s online activities, and encourage a balanced lifestyle that includes a variety of offline activities such as outdoor play, hobbies, reading, and spending quality time with family and friends.
It’s essential for parents to model healthy digital behaviors themselves and engage in open communication with their children about the benefits and risks of internet use, teaching them to use technology responsibly and critically evaluate online content.
By promoting a healthy balance between online and offline activities, parents can help their children develop positive habits and attitudes towards technology while safeguarding their well-being and overall development.
By McCreadie Andias,