iPad kids and digital role-models
Kids have an impressionable mind and it is particularly during those early ages of 0–5 that they need more attention and care from their parents and society in general. Their minds are like a sponge which soaks up what they see around them and this makes them particularly vulnerable to both the positives and the negatives that surrounds them.
The two sides of technology
Technology is here to stay and so are its undeniable benefits. It helps us connect to relatives and friends in distant lands, share music, pictures and recipes, learn different languages and instruments and the list goes on.
However, the kids today are growing in the age of technology over load. The world is saturated with mobiles, laptops, tablets — you name it. This is leading to excessive screen time, most times without any purpose.
The way technology has become intertwined with our life it is slowly but surely shaping various relationships in our lives, including parenting habits. It is far easier to turn on the television playing nursery rhymes with attractive colors on the screen to soothe a crying toddler than it is to take effort and console him. Today, kids are competing for their parents attention with screens and are relying on online videos to learn social cues.
Impact on teens
Things are not brighter for teenagers and university students — owing to the covid-era, the schools have also made phones and laptops a part of the study schedule of students, they learn on it, they play games on it, they socialize on it — it seems like technology has taken over their lives. Shorter attention spans, lack of sleep, lack of interest in academics are some common issues reported by them.
There is no denying that having access to technology has opened doors to information which was otherwise not available to everyone but at the same time, the rates of anxiety, depression and other mental health issues are rising at a rampant rate. Cyber bullying, comparing yourself with others over social media, mindless gaming and scrolling are just some side effects of being on phones and tabs for too long. A text message cannot compensate for the feeling of actually being in the presence of someone who cares about you or interacting with your peers.
Loss of Creativity
Over usage of phones by kids can sometimes lead to lack of boredom, which otherwise gives space to think, to dream and to explore. A quick google search can get any information to us within seconds, but not all information available online is accurate and kids aren’t aware of it.
Phone free zones at home
What can be done to stop this looming epidemic of sorts? Well, phone free zones at home, like at the dinner table, in bed at night, and while cooking in the kitchen are a few places where this habit can be followed by all family members so that they can be fully present wherever they are without continuously being distracted. Healthy digital habits are very important in todays day and age.
Parents as role-models
Parents have always been role-models for their kids and this holds true for their social media usage aswell. Parents are the kids digital role-models. If they start to display healthy behaviours, the kids would follow suit in some time.
The way forward
In the age of social media addiction, where likes, shares, and virtual interactions often take precedence over real-world experiences, valuing real life experiences and connections is the only way to a brighter tomorrow and it is necessary that we all wake up to it.
