Sunday, February 5, 2012

Digital Techonolgy Effect On Kid's Brain

Now a days people are living in an online world, which makes our lives comfortable and easy. We can do several works together as digital devices make our brain sharper and grown.

Research shows that kids who spend more time with electronic or digital technology respond more quickly to any visual stimuli, have improved peripheral vision, and are better able to gain quick information. The growth of digital technologies in our kid’s lives, like TV, video games, cell phones and the internet, gives both the opportunity as well as risk.  Our kids may become all-rounder in different fields but may not be an expert in one. For example, when a kid is checking her text messages or social networking pages in between her math homework, she constantly loses her focus from her homework because she keeps her “math chunks” to the side to respond to her friend. Multitasking loses their speed, accuracy and efficiency. 

Studies say that technologies send mixed messages. They give educational benefits as well as addiction and chronic distraction. Now we all might be thinking that how the three-pound wonder on the top of our shoulder, called as brain, works. Electronic technologies are going to multiply because day by day virtual lives are replacing real lives in kids.  With a touch of a button they can connect the real world to the virtual world. Kids are shrinking into their own world and they are not comfortable to express their emotions and feelings face to face. Many people, who add dozens of friends to their online life, run the risk of ignoring the real people around them in their families. They hang out with friends they already know in the real world, through online world.  

Concerning the pros and cons of online or electronic world in our kid’s lives, we can limit the media exposure and gain the benefits. A few points could be considered:
  1. Get them active at least one hour physical activity every day.
  2. Make sure they eat nutritious food such as fruits and vegetables, and drink lots of fluids.
  3. Reduce screen time with active life and real world learning.
  4. Try that they have one full day, free of electronic devices, at least once a week.

Parents of 21st century should consciously decide how to let their children use the digital technologies for raising successful and healthy kids. 

Reference:
 " Smart Parenting, Smarter Kids". David Walsh.
 

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