Contents:
- Medical Video: Generation iPad: Could Device Hurt Toddlers' Development?
- Computers make children smarter?
- Computer danger
Medical Video: Generation iPad: Could Device Hurt Toddlers' Development?
It cannot be denied that today computers have become a big part of children's lives. Now, everything has been computerized, including child activities in schools with computer science subjects as one of its curriculum, as well as their extracurricular activities. Over time, the parents feel burdened by having to buy the latest children's gadget.
To fill his free time, it is no stranger to children playing computer games, browsing the internet, or chatting with friends. In addition, not infrequently also school assignments require children to search for sources from the internet. All of this requires sophisticated devices, of course equipped with sophisticated technology as well.
Not again peer pressure from friends like them and also the times that demanded that children not "clueless". Surveys prove, about 31% of children aged 3 years and under have started "opium" computers.
But, does the computer really have benefits for children? This idea seems to emerge more as a justification for the invasion of technology in children's daily lives.
This research has lost the pace of the rapid technological developments that exist today. The implications of technological development are still uncertain.
Computers make children smarter?
Research on the benefits of education on "computer front" activities is very limited. Playing games on computers is associated with increased visual ability intelligence in computer use. In other words, more and more use of computers, making children smarter to use computers.
Not surprisingly, because practice can continuously improve capabilities in various fields.
Many studies have found a small but significant relationship between computer use and the development of children's academic abilities. But there is no strong evidence that computers can improve children's academic abilities.
Parents should consider this finding to counter the study of the relationship of improving academic abilities, music, art, and computer sports: Scientists have found that children who take play classes the keyboard or singing for 36 weeks has a higher IQ and better academic ability compared to groups of children who don't play music.
It cannot be denied that computer-based technology has an important role in helping children. Children who do not participate in educational programs because of learning problems, emotional problems, or abnormalities in speech and hearing, blindness, even physical retardation can be helped by computer technology. But in terms of increasing IQ, there are still many other more effective ways.
Computer danger
Generally, there are many risks associated with computer use because: (1) are vulnerable to exposure to inappropriate activities for children or (2) the duration of time is too long at the computer.
Some hazards cannot be denied. In addition to the risks of children relating to pedophiles in cyberspace, pornography, and internet content that are inappropriate for children, computer games for children are also now becoming very violent. Not surprisingly, children prefer competitive and aggressive games compared to games that contain pro-social values. Parents often do not realize the level of violence in the games their children play.
The scientists concluded that playing games that contain elements of violence can increase aggressive behavior and make children rough. Increased aggressive behavior has been proven when children generalize their reactions to real world situations in line with the reactions in the game's video.
Perhaps one of the main risks that can be associated with excessive computer use is the reluctance to experience life experiences in the real world, which is replaced by playing real-life based games.
Computers are very attractive. Browsing internet and computer games can divert children from real-world activities. Some researchers have found that using computers too often can hamper children's social activities and the development of their studies.
Interaction in cyberspace is more developed than contact with friends, family, teachers, and nature around children. Communication using the internet keeps children away from important elements in actual relationships. New human interactions can occur when there is a presence of the person.
Researchers have studied the impact of using computers at an early age. Researchers predict children will experience health problems in the wrist, back, and eyes as experienced by adult computer users.
Some findings also state that computer use in children is associated with stress and can increase the risk of obesity. Playing games can cause tendonitis. Switching images to video games can cause severe photosensitive epilepsy.
We know that there have been many studies of computer users who have suffered a bone or joint injury due to a misuse of computer use. And according to research, most computer labs in elementary schools have desk and computer positions that can increase the risk of musculoskeletal disorders in children.
Research at Oxford has found the fact that the presence of a computer in a child's room will reduce children's sleep by as much as 2-5 hours. Computers will be a very tempting alternative as an excuse to stay up. The long-term effects of sleep disturbance and sleep time are unknown.
Virtual reality games are also now very popular in cyberspace. Research has shown that children will have difficulty distinguishing original life from virtual life. The implications of this discovery for the development of a child's identity cannot yet be determined.
Some researchers speculate that instant gratification with technology has contributed to a weakened level of stress resistance in children. With the thin tolerance of frustration in children, children will find it difficult to adapt to challenges in life.
In short, researchers oppose the use of computers when children are still very small. Some of these claims are supported by a number of strong facts. The other part is still mere speculation. Many studies out there are considered flawed, because they are only based on personal report data.
In the end, there is not enough research to determine the actual answer. For example, we know the extent to which computer use can replace important activities in a child's daily life. Then it's up to you how to set limits for children to use computers.
Always supervise the child when he is using a computer, and do not forget that children need direct interaction with humans. Pure and direct interaction.
