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As technology becomes a bigger part of our lives, parents are challenged to strike the right balance for their children's screen time. While the digital world offers countless benefits, it also poses significant drawbacks that demand thoughtful consideration. For more insights on how to leverage the advantages of technology while mitigating its downsides, you can explore this guide on technology’s benefits and drawbacks.

  • Cognitive Development
Benefits - Technology makes learning fun.

- It promotes customised learning.

- It helps develop problem-solving skills.

- It encourages a positive attitude towards learning.

- It helps children become more independent, since they can take control of their learning.
Drawbacks - Technology can lead to shorter attention spans.

- It causes challenges with concentration.

- Kids' brains can become overloaded by constant distractions, making it difficult for them to think clearly.

- It can reduce critical thinking and deep understanding.

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  • Social Development
Benefits - It enables children to connect with peers online, fostering friendships.

- Children can engage with others from different backgrounds and locations.

- Online platforms support teamwork on projects and shared interests.
Drawbacks - It reduces face-to-face interactions with family and friends.

- Children might prefer online relationships over real-life connections.

- The pressure from social media can diminish self-esteem.

- The need for likes and followers can drive feelings of social isolation and mental health issues in children.

- Online connections can sometimes be superficial.

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  • Physical Development
Benefits - It simplifies tasks and provides quick access to information.

- It can inspire creativity through games, art, and interactive content.

- Children can learn new skills through educational apps and online courses.
Drawbacks - It leads to risks of obesity.

- It can cause hunching and back pain.

- It can disrupt sleep.

- It reduces physical activity.

- It can lead to muscle imbalances.

- It can cause vision problems.

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How to balance screen time: tips for parents

 

  1. Promote interactive digital experiences that involve creating content, problem-solving, and exploring interests rather than passive consumption. {1}
  2. Create a schedule specifying appropriate hours for using screens.

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  1. Remove all screens from the bedroom after bedtime. {3}
  2. Set a good example by reducing your own screen time. {3}
  3. Encourage your children to engage in screen-free activities. {4}
  4. Use parental controls to manage and supervise your child's online activities by blocking certain websites, limiting communication, and monitoring device use.{5}

In conclusion, technology can be incredibly beneficial, but it also has its flaws. The solution lies in finding the right balance!

Written by Mawdoo3.com

Resources:

  1. Child Development and Technology | Impacts & development (cpdonline.co.uk)
  2. 10+ Advantages and Disadvantages of Technology in Child Development (hubvela.com)
  3. How technology affects your child’s brain (youngmindsnetwork.com.au)
  4. 10 Ways Technology Affects Child Development (cosmotogether.com)
  5. Parental controls | How to keep your child safe (esafety.gov.au)