The Impact of Technology on Social Skills

Do you believe that technology can be beneficial or harmful to the development of children?

 

It's been established for a long time that healthy and healthy social skills originate from healthy interactions in a face-to-face setting.

 

For children who are still in their early years the interactions facilitate understanding and understanding non-verbal skills, creating relationships with others and gaining empathy.

 

However, the amount time spent in front of screens is starting to influence the way that social skills are learnt and developed, particularly for younger children.

 

Take a look at the following figures published in an article published in The Washington Post.

 

Teenagers spend 9 hours a day watching media

children aged 8-10 are able to spend 5.5 hours each day watching media

Furthermore, A According to a 2018 Nielsen report by Nielsen in 2018. :

Adults can spend up to 11 hours each day listening media, reading, watching or otherwise interacted with media

One of the major threats posed by technology affecting interaction with others is slow growth of social skills and also the deterioration of emotional health.

 

Here are a few concerns about the technology use and the impact it has on children.

texting is replacing face to face communications

In a study conducted in 2010, it was revealed that text messaging has been the most popular method of communication among teens and preteens.

 

It's unfortunate that texting and digital messaging do not provide any of the important exchanges that could be a result of an encounter with a person in person. Understanding and using the non-verbal language can help children to become more proficient communicators in the near future.

 

Interpersonal interactions provide experience "reading" visual and vocal clues, such as:

 

Expressions on the face

Posture

Eye contact

Body posture

Voice tones

There are clearly many advantages of texting and using technology for communication However, excessive use of these types of socially-interactive technology (SITs) can cause social anxiety and lower the child's confidence in interactions with others.

 

Additionally digital messages can also be misinterpreted, which isn't as prevalent when it comes to face-to face interactions. This is a constant source of feelings of social rejection as well as the feeling of being isolated.

 

This can be particularly detrimental for those who are in their early and more developmental years who desire the sensation of being loved and appreciated. The normal way to deal with such people is to avoid confrontations with others since they can be very difficult to handle.

 

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Social media can contribute towards feelings of disconnect

Social media is now fully integrated into our daily lives. In 2009 the Common Sense Media report found an average of 22% teens are logging into the social networks of their choice as often as 10 times a day. It is possible that this number will rise in 2020.

 

Social media time is a waste of time used to build meaningful and valuable relationships and navigating the most difficult aspects of relationships. Based on anxiety expert Wendy Corliss, "there have also been reports made by 14-24 year olds that social media encounters and engagements have led to feelings of depression, loneliness, poor body image and anxiety."

 

Empathy stands at the helm

Digital media can start to take away valuable social connections and engagement with social media may cause social isolation.

The effect on human interactions through technology also affects empathy, and children aren't the only ones who are being affected.

What can parents do to limit their use of technology

Every parenting decision made can impact your child's development. However, it's also crucial to view the opportunity for you to benefit your child's growth.

There are a variety of activities parents can engage in with their children to be beneficial to this end.

 

For instance:

 

Reading

Singing

Laughing

Stories to tell

Gaming

Creatively collaborating

Making time to teach the skills of social interaction and compassion via positive interactions is a crucial aspect of child's development. Home designer for residential properties Rick Buick explains that "many new homeowners are incorporating technologically free spaces in new home designs. This is a place for children to escape away from the world of technology and be kids. ."

 

If you need assistance Some of the rules for social media use could appear like this.

 

Infants

Children under the age of 18 months must be kept away from all screen media, excluding video chats with relatives and friends. Children should interact with other people and the environment and not locked to screens that substitute for the babysitter.

 

A study was conducted which demonstrated that a baby's ability to play and interact was hindered because of the television in the room with them.

 

Toddlers

The 2-year-old can understand sounds and words through videos, as well as people on live chat as well as interact with touchscreens. Research has shown that the main factor in making the most of these interactive touchscreens or videos is when the parent examines the content and discusses it with their toddler in the future.

 

Preschoolers

There are a variety of high-quality shows for children that are excellent choices for kids aged between 3 and 5. A lot of these shows are specifically designed to enhance the cognitive capabilities of children, introduce new vocabulary and positively impact the way children interact with others.

 

It is vital to note that the vast majority of applications available are not designed by experts in developmental therapy. These can be harmful when they hinder the time children spend with their caregivers. Additionally, it enhances the benefit of these materials for education when the material is viewed by the caregiver or parent and then incorporated into interactions in the presence of children.

Does your child learn efficiently?

Technology can negatively impact social abilities. It's a fact.

 

However, as the globe is becoming a more connected and technologically advanced area, technology will benefit children as well.

 

In the end, like most aspects of life, the answer is found with balance.

 

To ensure that your child has an attitude of compassion, empathy, and understanding, you should monitor the use they make of computers and discover games as well as games that can help build social skills when needed.

Do you want your children to have a better chance of achieving their goals? STEM education learning activities can help get them there. STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math. It’s important because it provides children with economic security when they grow up and prepares them to think critically so that they will flourish in an ever-changing world