Should kids be allowed to play with iPad and other technologies?
Recent study shows children and youth use 5 times the recommended amount of technology, which may serious consequence. As per study infant aged 0 to 2 years should not have any exposure to technologies such as mobile, laptop or other handheld devices. 3 to 5 years should be restricted to 1 hour per day and 6 to 18 years restricted 2 hours per day. Physiologist says children who spend lot of time in front of screen has poor mental health and poor friendship quality.
Study shows lot of time in front of technology may affect your family and social life. As per research done by Zonein.ca says there are many reasons why handheld devices should be banned for children under age 12. Some are below.
At the end of this article there are some steps I personally follow. You may like to check that as well.
1. Brain Growth:
Infant brain triple in size between age 0 to 2 years, and continues in state of development till they are 21 years old. If kids spend lot of time in front of screen during these years it increases impulsivity and decreased ability to self-regulate.
2. Delayed Development:
Kids play iPad and keep sitting at one place for hours this restrits movement which can result in delayed development.
3. Epidemic Obesity:
TV and video game use correlates with increased obesity.
4. Sleep Deprivation:
Technology affects kids sleep and kids who spend lot of time with technology has less sleep
5. Mental illness:
Technology overuse is implicated as a causal factor in rising rates of child depression, anxiety, attachment disorder, attention deficit, autism, bipolar disorder, psychosis and problematic child behavior
6. Aggression
Kids who uses technology are more aggressive compare with kids who don’t use.
7. Addictions:
One in 11 children is addicted to technology. If they don’t get iPad or other handheld device they get angry.
8. Radiation emission:
World health organisation classified cell phones as as a category 2B risk due to radiation emission. James McNamee with Health Canada in October of 2011 issued a cautionary warning stating “Children are more sensitive to a variety of agents than adults as their brains and immune systems are still developing, so you can’t say the risk would be equal for a small adult as for a child.
9. Unsustainable
The ways in which children are raised and educated with technology are no longer sustainable
Obviously we cannot eliminate technology use in this world but we can minimize risk by following some basic steps. I personally follow below steps.
– Turn off or have mobile in Aeroplane mode
– Never put your mobile under or near bed at night time. Keep it far from bed
– Turn Off modem at night time if you don’t use it
– Keep Wi Fi turn off on iPad if you don’t need it. Turn on only when you use it
– Don’t allow kids to use/play Mobile or iPad more than one hour per day
If you have any other idea or comments please comment below. It will help others. You can also comment on our Facebook page.
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