Screentime - How it affects children's learning and development? Are there any benefits?

I researched and dig deeper on this topic, whether screen time is safe for children’s learning and development; and I discovered different perspectives from different people around the world. These perspectives and views explained the affects of screentime and the benefits screentime offers children.

Image 2. Source from https://inhabitat.com/inhabitots/the-many-downfalls-of-kids-addiction-to-tech-why-limiting-screen-time-will-benefit-your-child/

A research conducted by Zomer (2014), explained that screentime gives children the risk of developing muscular-skeletal injuries. When children are spending screentime watching violent television and/play video games, it develops aggression and anti-social behaviour within children (Zomer, 2014). Research has shown that children spend less time reading which leads to a decreased verbal literacy and attention problem, because of heavy television viewing (Blackwell, Lauricella & Wartella, 2014). It is not just television that plays a part in the affects that has on children; but other technologies such as tablets, smartphones, I-pads, notebooks and computers (Zomer, 2014). Kates (2016) agreed that screentime is affecting children’s development. It is easy for parents or educators to use technology to calm a child but the affect it has on the child is irreversible.

Image 3. Source from https://www.specialdeliveryforkidz.com/blogs/raising-a-happy-kid/how-to-end-screen-time-without-a-struggle

When technology is use as a strategy to settle a child, it affects their attachment development. Children will not respond to parents or educators and will throw tantrums without their devices. This is because children have learnt to attach to objects instead of peers and parents. Children tend to block out the physical environment around them when they are staring or attached to a screen (Kates, 2016). Technology devices do not respond to children’s needs and it does not develop their language skills. It develops isolation around children which affects their social development as well as their emotional and brain development (Kates, 2016). Screentime takes away the child’s interest in physical activities which may lead to obesity. Children don’t get as much exercise as they should be getting daily because technology encourages children to sit and pay attention to a screen and what is playing before their eyes.

Watch This! How technology affects child development.

There are also arguments explaining the benefits screentime offers to enhance children’s learning. An additional route to early language and literacy for children can be provided by age appropriate programs when children watch TV or appropriate programmes on screens. Appropriate quality apps such as ‘learn-to-read’ or e-books helps the child learn new words or allows the child to recognise words which they hear daily (Canadian Paediatric Society, 2017). Some studies show that screentime encourages children to explore the outside world when children use apps such as ‘scavenger-hut’ or ‘treasure-hunt’. These apps allow children to identify objects and learn about new things. It develops their imagination and creativity skills (Marks, 2016).

Image 4. Source from https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2015/12/does-screen-time-help-children-learn/

Reference:

Blackwell, C. K., Lauricella, A. R., & Wartella, E. (2014). Factors influencing digital technology use in early childhood education. Computer and Education, 2014(77), 82-90.

Canadian Paediatric Society. (2017). Screen time and young children: Promoting health and development in a digital world. Paediatrics & Child Health, 22(8),461-468. https://doi.org/10.1093/pch/pxx123

Kates, D. (2016). Kids are getting too much screen time – and it’s affecting their development. Retrieved from http://nationalpost.com/health/kids-are-getting-too-much-screen-time-and-its-affecting-their-development

Marks, L. (2016). Teachers, parents urged to engage young children with digital technology devices. Retrieved from http://nationalpost.com/health/kids-are-getting-too-much-screen-time-and-its-affecting-their-development

Patel, D. (2017). Will technology ruin your children’s development? Retrieved from https://medium.com/thrive-global/will-technology-ruin-your-childrens-development-663351c76974

Screen & the Early Years. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.screensmart.ca/early_years

Tafriha Islam (2017, June 4). How technology affects child development [Video file]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K8RyvzARLkU

Zomer, R. N. (2014). Technology Use in Early Childhood Education: A Review of the Literature. Retrieved from https://ir.library.dc-uoit.ca/bitstream/10155/511/1/Zomer_R.%20Nancy.pdf