Technology is a blessing when you look at the larger picture. It would have been impossible to communicate and survive in a post-Covid world without technology. Technology is a powerful tool that has been shaping our lives. At first, it was the simple telephone and television. Then the invention of the internet has made things easier. When things are easier it can have both positive and negative impacts on human beings. The most vulnerable are the kids.

In today’s time, there can be no household that is not using technology. Technology has become a part of our daily lives intrinsically. The impact of technology is such that it cannot be called a separate entity in the present time. Children as young as 3 years old are now skilled enough to use their parent’s mobile phones and watch videos of their choice. One cannot deny its presence in our everyday lives. Since the pandemic has begun, people have been relying on technology more than ever.

From ordering groceries to taking online classes, every little thing has now become dependent on technology. It has created a huge impact on adults as well as children. There are positive and negative impacts of technology that has affected the present and will continue to affect the future of our children.

4 Major Positive Impacts of Technology on Your Child-

1. Easy Access to Information

With the advancement of technology, it has become an easy job to avail information. Everything is available on the internet. The previous generation used to visit libraries, do research and involve themselves way too much often, exhausting themselves, but in the present time, children can access information of any kind that deals with their work and interest without much effort. It saves a lot of time and makes them available for other activities.

2. Effective Communication

The impact of technology has been such that, children are now being able to communicate effectively. Kids can now keep an update on their schedules and share it with their parents without much hassle. Technology helps them to remain private. They get the opportunity of conveying important information to their parents. Thus, technology has proven to be a boon for kids and adults.

3. Uninterrupted Education

No one could have imagined the condition of education without students attending classes in a classroom or going to school. Covid made kids switch from the physical model of education to the online mode of learning. Education was not hampered and all credits must be given to technology. Children adapted to this kind of learning with much zeal and enthusiasm. Parents too felt the importance of technology and accepted the new form of education and learning. As a result, kids are more tech-savvy than their parents and have a great deal of technical knowledge.

4. Expressing Themselves

Kids have now begun to express themselves through their social media accounts. They are now choosing the e-platform to express their views, perspectives and opinions on matters of concern. In future, kids who were not able to express themselves, who were shy and felt intimidated around people, will be able to voice their opinions into discussions that are of utmost importance for society. It is considered to be one of the greatest positive impacts of technology on kids in present and for future generations.

4 Major Negative Impacts of Technology on Your Child:

1. Loss of Social Skills

One of the negative impacts of technology is that it isolates kids from their peers, family and relatives. Kids become uncomfortable when they are told to interact with others. Thus they become socially awkward. They indulge themselves in activities that can be done alone without peer support. It has affected the real-life communication and social interaction skills of kids. One needs to be careful when it comes to allowing kids to use technology and set proper boundaries for its usage.

2. Inability to Focus

Excessive use of the internet can have diverse effects on the concentration levels of kids. Their motor skills might be affected and also their ability to focus. Children who are exposed to the world of the internet at a young age are finding it difficult to cope up with activities that require focus and patience. Their world is confined to things such as short videos, quick lessons and compact classes to meet the requirements of a small concentration span.

3. Health Issues

Life has become sedentary for kids with the advancement of technology. Excessive exposure to screen time has been creating health hazards for kids. Many kids have complained of headaches, and eye problems due to the overuse of smart devices. Find about: How to Balancing Your Child Screen Time

Since everything is easily accessible for kids, they hardly move out from their bedrooms and explore the world outside. Reports have shown that kids have gained weight over the past couple of years due to restrictions on Covid and their alternate way to kill time, that is, by using technology. It can affect the present young generation gravely if not taken into consideration.

4. Perils of Browsing

With the advance of technology, children are exposed to the vast virtual world. There is numerous information available on the internet. But there are dangers as well. Children can be vulnerable to various kinds of inappropriate content available on the internet. They can fall into the traps of hackers, their sole purpose being extorting money through blackmailing kids. Parents need to supervise their kids so that they are aware of such activities prevalent on the internet and avoid them at all costs.

Technology like any other service has its positive and negative effects. It creates a good impact on kids when used wisely. Thus, to make it a useful service one needs to regularise its use, especially when it comes to kids using the internet.