How often do we see children sitting with iPads shoved in their faces at restaurants, shopping malls, and even doctor’s offices? We used to see kids playing, making up games, and using their imagination; now, we only see them begging and screaming for some screen time. Parenting can be overwhelming, especially nowadays, but is technology the answer?
Studies have shown that excessive screen time may contribute to delayed development in young children. According to data, 1-year-olds exposed to more than four hours of screen time daily showed delays in communication and problem-solving at ages 2 and 4 (nyp.org). While it’s easy to just sit a crying child in front of a screen for some quiet, not many parents are fully aware of the effects this may have on their children moving forward.
Some screen time can be educational and even encourage children to consider things in ways they never had before. However, it’s easy for it to get out of hand, especially in the age of technology our society has entered in recent years. While it’s true that kids of this era are brilliant, a lot of their social and critical thinking skills are lacking due to the crutch of technology. “I work with kids,” Elliot Slacks (12) shares, “I can clearly tell the difference between the kids who have the right amount of screen time… versus the ones who have too much.”
It’s an astonishing epidemic that is unique to this coming generation. It’s so easy to utilize an iPad or tablet to get a moment of peace and quiet as a parent, but is it always the right thing to do? When we shove screens in our children’s faces to avoid meltdowns, we’re depriving them of the opportunity to learn how to regulate their emotions from an early age. This could lead to a multitude of problems, some of which we can already see in our day-to-day lives. The lack of emotional intelligence in the coming generations is worrisome, as these future leaders of our society will have had the crutch of technology by their side all their lives.
The key would be to find a good, healthy balance. Like meals, screen time should be monitored and balanced as much as possible. Choosing which programs to show your kids, when they have access to tablets/TVs/iPads, and how long they have access will be crucial to their development. Doing your own research to see what works best for you and your family is also essential. It’s our job to raise a better world for our children, and raise them to be better for our world.
