Science Technology and Modern Age 2010
The Effects of Modern Technology on Kids
Modern technology, such as video games, affects brain development, social relationships and health.
Like it or not, we are a digital society. In the age of cellular phones, video games, and computers, it is important to explore whether this abundance of technology has helped or harmed children's mental and emotional development. Experts disagree on the answer. While some argue that modern technology has had negative effects on children in some areas of their development, they acknowledge that it has also helped in other areas.
Effects on Brain Development * Kids and teens spend a large number of their waking hours in front of one type of screen or another, and experts disagree on the effects of technology on child development. Some argue technology advances intellectual development while others argue technology over-stimulates children and can impair brain functioning. UCLA professor Patricia Greenfield has reviewed over 50 studies on the effect of technology of students. She argues that while these studies report an increase in multitasking ability and visual reasoning skills in young people, meaning that they are able to see and process information quickly, they also reveal a decrease in attention span, making it more difficult for youth to solve more complex problems that require time and concentration.
Immediate Access to Information * The Internet has made immediate access to information possible. A 2010 Pew Internet and American Lifestyle Study reported that over 80 percent of American kids aged 12 to 17 use the Internet and over half of these kids log on daily. The Internet has made it possible for kids to discard their library card and conduct research from home. With access to worldwide information at their fingertips, it is easy for kids to become lazy with their research and take everything they read on the Internet as fact. This can be dangerous, as anyone can post misleading information on a blog
Modern technology, such as video games, affects brain development, social relationships and health.
Like it or not, we are a digital society. In the age of cellular phones, video games, and computers, it is important to explore whether this abundance of technology has helped or harmed children's mental and emotional development. Experts disagree on the answer. While some argue that modern technology has had negative effects on children in some areas of their development, they acknowledge that it has also helped in other areas.
Effects on Brain Development * Kids and teens spend a large number of their waking hours in front of one type of screen or another, and experts disagree on the effects of technology on child development. Some argue technology advances intellectual development while others argue technology over-stimulates children and can impair brain functioning. UCLA professor Patricia Greenfield has reviewed over 50 studies on the effect of technology of students. She argues that while these studies report an increase in multitasking ability and visual reasoning skills in young people, meaning that they are able to see and process information quickly, they also reveal a decrease in attention span, making it more difficult for youth to solve more complex problems that require time and concentration.
Immediate Access to Information * The Internet has made immediate access to information possible. A 2010 Pew Internet and American Lifestyle Study reported that over 80 percent of American kids aged 12 to 17 use the Internet and over half of these kids log on daily. The Internet has made it possible for kids to discard their library card and conduct research from home. With access to worldwide information at their fingertips, it is easy for kids to become lazy with their research and take everything they read on the Internet as fact. This can be dangerous, as anyone can post misleading information on a blog