Overuse Of Technology

Children use a lot of technology. They use technology whether they are using social media, using a learning program, or reading an electronic book. The truth is, that there are more positives than negatives when children use technology. There is fear that if children use too much technology they will not have proper development especially cognitively. This paper will show how technology can benefit a child’s cognitive development.

Looking to the past for help understanding the children of today is no longer a useful tool. As technology advances, it begins to play a bigger role in the lives and development of children. Technology’s impact on the families of today is breaking down the core values that held them together. These advances affect the attention span of children, their social skills, and their brain development. In the 21st century, technology has become the focal point of society. More advances have been made in this day and age than any other, and while some of them have changed the world for the better, not every effect has been a positive one.

Today I think people, especially teens, are on their phone way too much. When I walk down the street, all I see is the top of people’s heads. The things that really stand out to me are how we overuse our technology to the point where people are being distracted when they drive and how people are becoming lazy and passive learners. While some might say we should not limit how much we use our cell phones, I think we would be better off limiting our time and usage on our phones.

Kids, teens and adults are now constantly navigating the internet or using some sort of technology. In the article “Is the Onslaught Making Us Crazy” by Tony Dokoupil, different psychologist claim that technology has a bad influence on the human mind. Throughout the text, real life examples, showing psychological breakdowns, are used to support the statement.

In the article Attached to Technology and Paying a Price, they show the story of of Kord Campbell who is a often user of technology. For which states, “Even after he unplugs, he craves the stimulation he gets from electronic devices. He forgets things like dinner plans, and has trouble focusing on his family. This is your brain on computers” (Richtel, Matt) Here is a pure example on the effects that technology has on an individual, how it changes one’s behavior. Imagine a student who was once a focused student but then was introduced to electronic devices. Overtime they begin to separate from friends or family and just spend time on the web. If a family member threatens to take their devices away they can become aggressive. One can see the change in behavior and see the negative effects. In the article, The Toll on Children stated that, “Researchers worry that constant digital stimulation...creates attention problems for children with brains that are still developing, who are already struggle to set priorities and resist impulses.” (The Toll on Children) Teenagers are passing through a great change in hormones and many other factors, which makes them vulnerable to digital stimulation. Many begin to change by what the web has to offer as well from many other things. If schools participate students can be able to take a break and rethink things to make their lives not revolve around

Technology has various of changes in this world where the author Jean M. Twenge talks on the short essay called “Have Smartphones Destroyed a Generation?” use of technology has caused a blind effect on teens. Many teens now are dependent on texting then having a group conversation as compared to generations we can see the differences. The generation after 2012 are more relying on smartphones than early ones. Using of social media like Instagram, snapchat and Facebook began before they even start going to school. This kind of uses has been seen in health issues. Now teens are going out less to parks and using less outside resources. Which may be safer that kids stay inside, but they are more likely to go into depression. The smart phones have made teens to have less communication, a higher risk in health and rely on phones as part of their life. The essay “have smart phones destroyed a generation” talks on causes of technology. where we can discuss the effect, it has and people who more involved.

Increasingly, there is a large dependence on technology today as opposed to ten or twenty years ago. Technology has changed a lot of how life is lived today. It affects shopping, job seeking employment opportunities, entertainment and academics. There is no doubt that technology has set its foundation and is here to stay. One area in which the effects of technology can be clearly noted is in the lifestyle of children. The addiction to technology by children today has increased over the years. This is clearly seen in the developmental progress of children today. This dependence has greatly influenced how children

The use of technologies in the younger generation is very outrageous. “Raising Generation Tech,” “Kaiser Foundation,” (37) talked about the study, that shows how adolescents are wasting their time on the technology. He explained that, they are using technology for about more than “five and half” hours a day without including their school programs. And those whom spent their time on technology are the age of “eight – eighteen.” It seems difficult for children’s to have a good relationship between their families anymore; because they are more into spending time on technologies and not giving attention. Gary Chapman, the author of “Growing up Social,” also talked about one particular family’s who has three kids under the ages of ten years

The problems that technology causes can have serious effects on the lives of technolgy users. A study at the University of Stanford shows that people who use excess amounts of multimedia have trouble filtering out irrelevant information and have trouble focusing on tasks ("Digital Overload: Your Brain On Gadgets."). According to this study, the use of technology can distract people, especially students, from tasks that must be completed. As a result, the current technolgy generation will become less proactive, and is likely to lead to a change in the way brains of young technology users works. This study claims, “heavy technology may fundamentally alter the frontal lobe during childhood, how addictive behavior can lead to poor decision-making and how the brain is rewired when it is constantly inundated with new information ("Digital Overload: Your Brain On Gadgets."). The results found in the study relate back to dopamine because when the chemical is released it alters the brain and the technology users become more addicted to it when they begin their use in childhood. The danger of technology increases with younger generations and how they will function in the future because the consequences are not well known. Dopamine is a dangerous chemical in the brain when it is released in large quantities, and these side effects can lower the

Technology has advanced a lot within the last couple of years. It definitely has its pros and cons when it comes to how it affects our personal lives. Some people may take this to an extreme and become very dependable on their technological devices. There is a large gap between the generations of when all there was, was pen and paper and now where we see even 6-year-olds with the latest iPhone. In “What’s the Matter with Kids Today” by Amy Goldwasser, the author explains how different life was without technology and how it's so commonly used now.

With more developments being made with technology, it is easy for one to depend on it. Some causes of technology dependence are that parents are failing to set a good example for their children because they are letting technology have control over them, parents can use a technological device to stop a child from crying or having a tantrum, and overall, it is a social norm to have a technological device. With a PhD. at the Mark Hatfield Clinical Research Center and National Institutes of Health, and writer of “Technology Dependence and Health-Related Quality of Life: A Model,” Susan F. Marden is credible when illustrating that technological dependence is a reliance of a variety of devices. Because technological dependence can negatively affect the quality of one’s life, especially the life of a young child, it is important to stress the fact that there are causes to why adolescents are forming these habits of dependence. Many parents are caught up with the advancements of technology and use technology as an outlet for undergoing stress and responsibility of their child. Marden states that the major components of technological dependence include “attitude towards technology dependence and symptom distress” (Marden 1). This dependence is taking a toll on the life of adolescents because it allows them to tune out of live action than benefitting their healthy development, which is why their use of technology should be monitored or not even introduced until a later age.

The current generation of children is completely different than the preceding ones. They are living in the digital age. “Technology has blended in with daily activity to become a way of life and children today take for granted all of which is automated. It is hard for kids nowadays to imagine a world that existed without all of the gadgets, electronics and seamless operations that computer technology provides.” (3) “Children in the United States devote some 40 hours a week to television, video games and the Internet.” (12) Many psychologists and researchers are concerned about the impact that technology has on children. Children, tomorrow’s future parents and leaders, are being consumed by the negative effects that technology had on their

Technology is doing more harm to our population than good, especially where children and teens are concerned. In the article “It’s ‘digital heroin’: How screens turn kids into psychotic junkies”, it says that 8 to 10 year olds spend on average 8 hours a day with digital media, while teenagers spend around 11 hours a day using technology. Also in this article it is said that 1 in 3 kids are using tablets or smartphones before they can talk. This much exposure to screens can be the start of an addiction for many kids and also cause behavioral

The growth of a child is highly affected by their environment. Whenever their environment changes they also suffer a change in their development. During the last few decades, there has been a high peak in the technological industry. This revolution has been responsible for a change in almost every aspect of our lives. Production, workplace, education, entertainment and much more. Technology now shapes our society. Children that are growing up during this era seem more vulnerable to the outside world. Parents nowadays are facing a new challenge. They need to find the proper way to raise a child in the middle of this technological society.

There is no doubt that technology has advanced tremendously in the last half-century. Technology has provided extraordinary improvements to our world; being an endless source of entertainment and nonstop communication anywhere at any time. But are these technological advancements a good thing? The youth of today are constantly immersed in these technological advancements whether through cell phones, gaming systems, or laptops. As technology continues to advance it is negatively affecting our health, communication skills, and the education of youth.