Technology effects on small children

Positive Effects

Educational Benefits

Interactive Learning: Apps, games, videos can also be learning tools that are fun and engaging to instruct language, math and problem solving abilities.
Learning: Practice with age-appropriate puzzles and challenges to increase your memory, spatial skills and critical thinking.

Enhanced Communication

Video calls and texting apps keep children in touch with their distant relatives, keeping the connections.

Creativity and Expression

Whether that’s drawing apps or storytelling platforms, they also promote the mind and the imagination.

Social Development

Some games or platforms allow children to collaborate, which is good because the child can get used to working together and socializing in controlled environments.

Negative Effects

Developmental Delays

Language and Social Ability: Too much screen time might obviate time for in-person engagement, essential to language and emotional intelligence.
Health of the Body: Sitting behind the device for long duration is tiring, leading to obesity and sluggish motor skills.

Attention and Behavior Issues

It’s possible that screen overstimulation contributes to reduced attention spans, impulses and poor focus.

Sleep Disruption

Screen blue light disrupts melatonin, and so we struggle to fall or remain asleep.

Addiction and Dependency

Early use of technology can become a dependant affair in which kids can’t keep track of their screen time.

Exposure to Inappropriate Content

Children might watch material inappropriate for their age if not properly directed and this can affect their mental and emotional health.

How to Use Technology in a Healthy Way

Set Time Limits

Follow guidelines such as those from the American Academy of Pediatrics, who recommend no screen time or very little screen time at all for children under 2 years old, and not more than an hour a day for 2–5.

Prioritize Quality Content

Select kid-friendly, educational and no-pop apps.

Encourage Balanced Activities

Integrate tech into physical play, reading, family time and help with development.

Parental Supervision

Watch and talk about videos with children to make it better and more fun.

Model Healthy Tech Behavior

Learn responsible technology use, because kids are the same kind of creatures that follow adults.