Introduction: Technology and Children
The 21st century has been marked by a rapid and ubiquitous surge of technological advances in nearly every domain of people’s lives. Modern technology, particularly, digital tools that contribute to improved data processing, has been in existence for more than a decade, thus, shaping children that use innovative tools and gadgets. Although modern technology is often blamed for a drop in real-life interactions and the promotion of a sedentary lifestyle, it also helps children acquire new skills and become active learners (Connell et al. 16). Therefore, while modern technology is a major cause behind a rise in creativity levels and the development of analytical skills, it also affects their interest in physical activities and their social skills negatively, thus, representing a dual cause-and-effect relationship.
Modern Technology, Its Accessibility, and Other Factors
Contemporary technological advances have a direct impact on people’s lives, in general, and on children, in particular, mostly due to their ubiquitous nature. Innovative technology has become extremely accessible to practically everyone. The specified phenomenon means that its influence on children’s lives is not only present but also immense and vast. In addition, exploring the extent to which technology has shaped children and their experiences in communication, learning, and other domains, one must address the opportunity for managing a significant amount of data, which modern technology provides.
Impact of Technology on Children: Communication and Other Areas
Because of the extensive opportunities for communication, modern technology reduces the number of real-life interactions among children. In addition, the active use of modern technologies makes the specified demographic develop the propensity toward a sedentary lifestyle, hence the development of health concerns such as obesity (Hsin et al. 86). The specified effects of innovative technological tools have had an impressively negative impact on children.
However, one must keep in mind that modern technology has provided a range of opportunities for children to improve their analytical and creative skills. Numerous interactive applications allow younger audiences to develop the skills required for successful time management, fast and efficient analysis of information, ability to think logically, etc. (Hsin et al. 88). Therefore, there is also a direct connection between children’s cognitive development and their use of innovative technology.
Therefore, when used properly, innovative technologies can help children acquire essential knowledge and skills that will help them become successful learners. Moreover, in a long-term perspective, modern technology may empower them to grow personally and learn new information regularly. However, technological advances need to be used with caution and specific goals in mind. Thus, technology will be useful for children.
Conclusion: Current Situation and Possible Improvements
While providing children with vast opportunities for entertaining themselves, acquiring analytical skills, and learning new information, modern technology also affects children’s health and levels of social engagement negatively. Therefore, the cause-and-effect relationships between modern technology and children’s development are rather ambiguous. Although modern technology is often misused by children as a surrogate of face-to-face communication, it also helps them train crucial skills, including their analytical and creative abilities.
Therefore, when used properly, modern technology can become the platform for assisting children in their academic progress and even encouraging them to develop lifelong learning skills. Furthermore, the opportunities for cross-cultural dialogue that the identified tools provide lead to an improvement in multicultural communication between children. Therefore, the overall cause-and-effect relationship between children and modern technology is mixed.
Works Cited
Connell, Sabrina L., et al. “Parental co-Use of Media Technology with Their Young Children in the USA.” Journal of Children and Media, vol. 9, no. 1, 2015, pp. 5-21. Web.
Hsin, Ching-Ting, et al. “The Influence of Young Children’s Use of Technology on Their Learning: A Review.” Journal of Educational Technology & Society, vol. 17, no. 4, 2014, pp. 85-99.