Khusbu Shagor 

ENGL 21003

Prof Debra Williams 

4/22/2023

The impact of technology on children’s development 

Introduction:

The growing use of technology by children, which raises concerns about potential negative impacts on their growth and wellbeing, acts as the inspiration for this proposed study. Since technology continues to influence children’s lives more and more, and because its effects on their growth and development are not fully understood, this research is crucial. Our hypothesis is that children who use technology excessively or erratically may experience delays in their emotional, social, and cognitive growth.

Background: 

According to recent studies, children are using technology more frequently and many of them spend a significant amount of time each day in front of screens. This development has raised questions about how technology may affect children’s development, including their mental, social, and emotional health.  In the past, studies have connected excessive screen time to behavioral issues, obesity, and sleep disturbances. Other research however has not discovered any significant harm from technology use on a child’s development. These inconsistencies in the results demonstrate the need for additional study on how technology affects children’s development.

Methods: 

Source 1- 

 Radesky, J. S., Kistin, C. J., Zuckerman, B., Nitzburg, G. C., Gross, J., Kaplan-Sanoff, M., … & Silverstein, M. (2020). Patterns of Mobile Device Use by Caregivers and Children During Meals in Fast Food Restaurants. Pediatrics, 146(3), e2020026556.

Summary: This study looks at how caregivers and kids use their mobile devices while eating at fast food restaurants. According to the outcomes, excessive and inappropriate mobile device use by caregivers and kids during meals may have a negative impact on kids social and emotional development.

Source 2- 

Lerner, C., & Barr, R. (2014). Screen Sense: Setting the Record Straight. Research-Based Guidelines for Screen Use for Children Under 3 Years Old. Zero to Three, 34(4), 4-10.

Summary: Guidelines for screen use for children under 3 years old are shown in this article and are supported by research. The recommendations place a strong emphasis on promoting interactive, and developmentally appropriate screen-based activities while restricting screen time. In the article, it is made clear that too much screen time may have negative impacts on kids emotional, social, and cognitive growth.

Source 3- 

Christakis, D. A., Zimmerman, F. J., DiGiuseppe, D. L., & McCarty, C. A. (2004). Early television exposure and subsequent attentional problems in children. Pediatrics, 113(4), 708-713.

Summary: This investigation looks into the link between early television exposure and later attentional issues in kids. The results imply that too much early-childhood television exposure may cause attentional issues later in life.

Source 4- 

Kostyrka-Allchorne, K., Cooper, N. R., & Simpson, A. (2020). The relationship between television exposure and children’s cognition and behaviour: A systematic review. Developmental Review, 57, 100928.

Summary: Kostyrka-Allchorne, Cooper, and Simpson carried out a systematic review to examine the connection between children’s cognition and behavior and television exposure. The authors examined 57 studies and discovered evidence that children who watched too much television experienced negative impacts on their cognitive development, academic success, and social interaction. The authors added that children from low-income families suffered more significantly by watching television than other children. Overall, this review emphasizes the value of limiting kids screen time and encouraging healthy development through alternative activities.

Outcome: The proposed study will help us understand how kids use mobile devices and how that use may affect how kids develop in the future. The study may reveal trends in how kids and their caregivers use mobile devices as well as the environments in which they are used in like during meals at fast food restaurants. The results may influence practice and policy on kids such as the start of recommendations for parents and other caregivers regarding how children should use mobile devices. The study may also draw attention to the need for additional investigation into the long-term impacts of mobile device use on kids cognitive, social, and emotional development. In the end, the proposed study might contribute to ensuring that children’s technology use is secure, wholesome, and developmental.