Argument and Persuasion, Essay #6
Technology and Children This technology revolution sparked a debate on children’s use of technology. Children are constantly using iPads, iPhones, tablets, and other computerized devices. By over exposing children to technology, they are being robbed of the mental stimulation that comes from doing real, non computerized, activities. It has gotten to the point where one can see a two-year-old navigate an iPhone with ease but struggle to speak. Sixty-nine percent of children aged two to five can use a computer mouse, but only eleven percent can tie their own shoelaces (Generation Tech More Kids Can Play Computer Games than Ride a Bike). Also, children are at an all time low in the creativity department
…show more content…
Also, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention in a study in 2004, 16 percent of children that are between the ages of six and nineteen years of age are overweight or obese. This is a number that has nearly tripled since 1980, mostly due to technological usage. Being overweight can bring with it great health concerns. Many of these children have a chance of developing Type II Diabetes, asthma, sleep apnea, social discrimination, high cholesterol and/or blood pressure. Moreover, according to a Stanford University of Medicine study, elementary students consume 20 percent of their daily calorie intake while watching television, which usually includes unhealthy snacks, largely due to advertisements for junk food and boredom. Coincidently, kids are not burning off any of these calories while they are plopped in front of the television.
When it comes down to a child’s creativity, it is being drained by the pre-generated creative art studios on computers. Before if a child wanted to show how artistic they could be, they would pull out a box of crayons or makers and draw a picture straight from their imagination. Now, we have coloring templates with preset colors that make children color inside the lines. The pseudo creativity has parents fooled into believing
The organization Alliance For childhood (2012) is concerned with the rise of and overuse of screen technology especially on very young children. According to the Alliance For childhood (2012), technology is interfering with “young children’s active and hands-on creative play, time with nature, and their face-to-face interactions with caring adults and other children” (p. 5). The Alliance For childhood (2012) believe that because technology is moving at a rapid rate educators do not have enough time to fully understand the ramification it has on education, developmental, ethical, and social aspect of their design and use. Additionally, the Alliance For childhood (2012) are concerned with the decline of creative play that technology has on
There is a wide spread speculation that television viewing is one of the most easily modifiable causes of obesity among children. America children spend more time watching television and videotapes and video games than doing anything else except for sleeping. Two primary mechanisms by which television viewing contributes to obesity have been suggested, reduced energy expenditure from displacement of physical activity and increased dietary energy in take, either during viewing or as a result of food advertising.
Many parents nowadays don’t even second guess handing their kid an tablet or phone to occupy them while they are running errands or eating. This is likely because the most convenient way to get a kid’s undivided attention for a prolonged period of time- no matter how young or old they are- is to put a screen in front of them. It has been said by the older generations that we are too consumed with technology, but in a world that is fast becoming technology dependent, the question ‘how early is too early to introduce technology to kids?’ arises. Some say that it is never too early- to start right off the bat and incorporate it in their everyday lives. Others disagree and say that technology should not be used until after the age of two due to
In the precedent few years, Type 2 diabetes has risen radically among children and adolescents. Experts consider this increase is due to the high rate of overweight and obesity (Cutting TM, Fisher JO, Grimm-Thomas K, Birch LL1999). One of the core reasons of children obesity is watching television. Technology is a vast accessory that millions of people use commonly in daily life. Television could be the most-used technological product of all. Millions of people now have as a minimum one television in their home. Though television seems like an immense thing to have, it has its disadvantages. Television can pessimistically influence people, mainly kids. A number of observational studies have originated an association between television watching and child and adolescent obesity. Moreover, it is recognized that American children spend more time watching television and playing video games than doing something else apart from sleeping. Researchers conducted a randomized, controlled test to assess the effects of reducing television, videotape, and video game use on changes in adiposity, physical activity, and dietary intake (Fisher JO, Birch LL. 1995). “The previous twenty five years have caused such a spectacular increase in childhood obesity. Technology, overeating and lack of physical activity can all contribute to obesity”. Birch LL, Fisher JO. Development of eating behaviors among children and adolescents. Pediatr
Obesity in children, who are exposed to advertising of unhealthy foods and sugar-sweetened beverages through the media. Television advertising has affected children due to their lack of nutritional knowledge and inexperience in making healthy food choices. The media which affects childhood obesity is one of the major public health issues that our country faces , due to increase weight gain and physical inactivity in children. According to the Center for Disease Prevention, overweight children are associated with a higher risk of contracting heart disease, diabetes, asthma, and many other physiological issues. If untreated, overweight children are most likely to develop obesity as adults (CDC, n.d). Overweight children spend more of their time
A decrease in physical activity due to the countless hours of television they are watching, as well as an interference with normal sleep patterns. Unhealthy eating habits can be learned from children television programs or advertising for unhealthy foods. “Each year kids see more than 10,000 food ads on TV alone, almost all for items like soft drinks, fast foods and sugared cereals” (Are You Responsible for Your Own Weight?). Although the connection between food marketing and childhood obesity has yet to be fully established, the federal government can take steps to help improve the media to promote healthier lifestyles for children to
Among 2 to 5 year olds and 6 to 11 year olds, 27% and 33%, respectively, are either overweight or obese (Lowenstein et al, 2013). Bad choices in food and the absence of physical activity are the main contributing factors of childhood obesity. The act of overeating unhealthy foods result in a child consuming and taking in more calories than that is needed for the body to function and the child will start to gain weight. This happens when children consume large portion sizes and/or foods that are loaded with sugar and calories; this results in an excess of calories (Sprouse, n.d.). Also, as a result of the elevated levels of amount of time spent in front of the television, video games and recreational computer use, children are spending more time inside and less time out engaging in physical activity. In addition to the lack of exercise and poor diets, there are other risks that increase the chances of children being overweight or obese. These risks include a family tree of relatives who were or are obese, a genetic predisposition to being overweight, psychological challenges, such as coping with stresses, and socioeconomic factors, such as low-income individuals without the time and resources to support healthy activities are at an increased risk (Sprouse, n.d.). In order to have an effective action plan, it is to be understood that combining all or some of the aforementioned risk factors with a poor choice in food and a sedentary lifestyle, it can be a dangerous
I don’t think I’ll ever get used to the sight of a three-year-old picking up an iPad and navigating it with no issues. I considered myself as part of the technological generation, but I had never stopped to think about the next generation after us. After reading Hanna Rosin’s “The Touch-Screen Generation”, I began to think about the future and what technology will mean for the later generations. Rosin goes through an analysis of the technological options children have today and the research done over the implications of this new era. I, however, want to further examine Rosin’s choices made in this article to appeal her argument to the audience.
The negative effects of the overuse of technology on children can seem overwhelming, considering how widespread it is used today and its future role in American society. What can be done to try to compress these possible effects on children? The answer may not be found too far from the surface, but it is a simple and effective solution; technology should be used in moderation with developing children. Parents and guardians play a huge part in this, like explained from before with the factor of parenting styles. They are the caretakers of the children, and they spend the most time with them allowing them to monitor their children’s activities. Parents and guardians can regulate how much time their children spend using technology at home. Parents do not have to be overly strict about these limits, but to just keep in mind how often their children use technology. William Bowden explains this as how parents should monitor the use of technology for their children when they are young, and when they are older, the children will be more responsible and can use it by themselves. The accessibility of electronics ties into this. Parents should also be aware of the appropriate age that their children
Data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey has found that more than 2 out of 3 adults is overweight or obese. This same survey found that 1 in 3 children and teenagers (aged six to nineteen) are overweight or obese. Being overweight or obese at such a young age will likely cause these children to develop many serious conditions later on in life, including: coronary heart disease, type two diabetes, and even some types of cancer.
In order to understand child obesity, one must know the causes. The rate of obesity has grown enormously based on the fact that children are not as active as before. This quote from www.med.umich.edu gives the statistics of how often children are enticed by the television, which has increased thoroughly over the years: “TV viewing among kids is at an eight-year high. On average, children ages 2-5 spend 32 hours in a week in front of a TV—watching television, DVDs, DVR and videos, and using a game console. Kids ages 6-11 spend about 28 hours a week in front of a TV.” (Boyse) Inactivity leads to rapid gain. Researches have taken the time to study and
Adolescents and children who spend more time on watching television and movie will more likely to be overweight. Study shows that most people increase their energy intake when they were watching television and movie. But also, long period of sitting time is another reason that may cause the obesity. Furthermore, when people are watching television and movies, they will stay in one position for a long period of time. Children and adolescents who are overweight are more likely to become overweight when they were adult. Also poor eating habit will also cause obesity; for example, when watching
Are you aware of that over million American children are struggling with obesity? Obesity is a serious medical and psychological condition that affects children, adult, and elderly people. According to WHO, People who are above the normal weight for their age and height are called obese. Being overweight an early age has been global problematic. As Cause, high number of obesity results from an abnormal intake of unhealthy food and drink and also unable to burn calorie. There are also problems with personal hereditary back ground that is important in determining obesity risk. Technology, especially phones, video games and television are becoming a main reason for obesity too. They are spending more
When people think about the word technology, most people think about computers, cell phones, ipads, and the latest versions we are lucky enough to play with if we are willing to pay the high price. Technology such as computers, have been around since the early 1940’s. According to Spicer, the first computer made was called The Z3, built by German engineer, Konrad Zuse. The Z3 computer was used for aerodynamic calculations, but was later destroyed in a bombing in 1943.
The issues that arise from society 's dependency on technology begins with the individuals that are now entering our world. The market for app designers has begun to shift, and now they are targeting today’s youth with games that are accessible through phones, tablets, and computers. Most parents have noticed their children adopting an interest with technology and are openly giving their children these devices, instead of having them play hands-on with real objects such as play dough or three-dimensional blocks. Research has