Technological addiction

Technology was the mantra for catapulting human development and progress especially after the advent of the internet in the early 80s and later access to mobile web from the end of 1996. After that period, the world underwent a huge transformation with regard to information and technology and has been going on at rapid pace. However, as the good also comes with the bad, today’s online era the leap in technology has also brought deep concerns about mobile addiction among children, some as young as two years. Thus, keeping children away from a screen is a huge challenge for parents. Smartphones/tablets are becoming essential tools of learning for children nowadays. While there are many pros to the online world it is highly addictive and might leave an unfavorable impact on the child’s development. Irresponsible use of media can lead to harmful tendencies in children. Today people are spending too much time on the smartphone and for the children, it can have an adverse effect on their physical and mental health. When small children become addicted to a cell phone, they may constantly ask for the phone. If they are not given then they become angry, upset or have a temper tantrum. Children can become dependent on the cell phone and may not know what to do without it. This is to be expected, but as long as you stay firm and do not give in, they will find a new way to cope. From behavioural problems, sleep disturbances, depression, to obesity, nervous system problems and slower social development skills, there could be many side effects of excessive phone usage. According to a survey conducted by the Saurashtra University in January this year, 82% of children were found to be suffering from some psychological conditions like loneliness because of mobile addiction. While 73% of children miss their mobile while they are at school, 77% of children demand mobile phones once they return from the school. The survey has found that at least 93 % of children prefer to play mobile games and they do not like to play outdoor games. The survey has also found that the children’s mothers are responsible for the addiction among their kids. The survey reported that 54% of mothers interviewed, give mobile phones to their children to keep them engaged so that they (mothers) could complete their work without being disturbed. Of all the women contacted, about 30% were working women and 70 % were non-working. According to the survey, 82% of children demand mobile phones from their parents, while 93% children prefer to play mobile games and they do not like to play outdoor games. There are 78% children who are habituated to eating food while watching the mobile screen. There are many dangers associated with children being addicted to a cell phone. A cell phone can affect their learning process, can interfere with their ability to sleep, can prevent them from learning to cope in real life situations, and can lead to obesity. The long term effects of cell phone addition in children are not fully known at this time, as this is the first generation of kids who have access to the full scope of technology that is currently available. The future generation is in danger and it is time to remove this technological addiction and save them.