Modren Media, Tech and Children

Effects of Modern Media and Tech on Child's Cognition

What is a child and childhood?

A child is a blessing and mercy of Allah. According to Islam “There is none born but is created to his true nature (Islam). It is his parents who make him a Jew or a Christian or a Magian….”(Sahih Muslim 2658).

A child is born in the state of Fitrah with a clean slate, and then it is up to its parents to develop and nurture their child in best possible way. Childhood is the most important period of one’s life and if the child didn’t have a healthy childhood then its repercussions can be seen in their adulthood. Twenty first century is often called the Era of Technology. It is an era in which technology is at its peak and almost most of our actions are now dependent on it. It has come to a point that it is now being considered as one of necessities of life. However we have to stop and analyze what type of effects it is having on our most prized possession i.e. our children and their physical and cognitive development.       

Effects of gadgets and technology on child and childhood:

Despite have many benefits in making our lives easy, technology and gadgets can have many harmful and adverse effects on our children. One of the most catastrophic effects of technology and gadgets is that it has damaged the proper social development of the child. Whether its parents, not spending quality time with their children due to this or children wasting too much of their time on gadgets such as phones, TVs, computers, etc. Mis-usage of these gadgets make child socially awkward. Children who were supposed to play out with their friends express their emotions, learn things by exploring and be socially active are now prefer to spend time alone with these gadgets rather than being enjoying human contact. As children are connecting more and more to the technology it can be observed that they are disconnecting from their family, self and spirit. However It is by human contact a child develops the sense of safety and security. (Rowan, 2008) The absence of human contact and gadget dependency means a child may never be able to learn to properly trust people because of his/her constant feeling of insecurity. When children take part in physical sports they get to learn team work, cooperation, trust and dependency on people. They get to explore, interact with various stimuli and observe nature first hand not through 21 inch flat screen. Sitting at home playing video game or watching TV etc. for long periods of time effect child physiological health as their muscle don’t get the exercise they need and which result in childhood obesity, which is a serious threat for children in this Era. Childhood obesity can damage heart, bones, lungs, kidneys, muscles, and digestive tract, as well as the hormones that control blood sugar and puberty. “Globally, an estimated 43 million preschool children (under age 5) were overweight or obese in 2010, a 60 percent increase since 1990.” (Nutr., 2010)

Negative effects of TV and cell phone on the cognitive development of the children:

Childhood is particularly important for the cognitive, emotional and social development of children. Parents and educators should pay a lot of attention on proper development of these three aspects. If anyone of these aspects is neglected, its effects could be very dangerous for child to grow into a normal functioning adult.

The repercussions of TV child’s cognitive and emotional development are so huge that, the American Academy of Pediatrics suggests that children under the age of two should not be allowed to watch TV as it can alter their view of reality. And children above two should only be allowed to watch two hours a day of television. Prolonged visual fixation on a two-dimensional screen at a fixed distance grossly limits one’s ocular development, necessary for eventual reading and printing. If we consider the difference between being present physically on places containing objects of different sizes and shapes, looking at things from different locations and views As opposed to looking at a fixed distance glowing screen(TV screen) for a long period of time, This rapid intensity, frequency and duration of visual and auditory stimulation results in a “hard wiring” of the child’s sensory system for high speed, with subsequent devastating effects on a child’s creativity, ability to imagine and focus on academic tasks. (Rowan, 2008) Profanity, obscenity, graphic violence and injection of intentionally manipulated ideas via animated film effect children’s minds and their core beliefs.

 Cell phones which were supposed to bring people closer but when brought closer to the child can have disastrous effects as indicated in a research “the bone marrow of a child’s head absorbs ten times more radiation than that of an adult, while that of infants and toddlers will absorb even more.” (Davis, 2013) Usage of cell phones can cause epilepsy, cancer and aggressive behavior of children however research is still being done on this matter. 

Some ways to overcome this issue:

We can solve this problem by applying various methods and techniques

·        Spending time with children

By spending quality and joyful time with your children, then they will associate happiness with you and will love spending time with you rather than on their 

TVs or cell phones.

•        Limiting the use of gadgets and technology

Use of gadgets and technology can be limited by providing children with other beneficial alternatives. Parents should also limit their use of gadgets as children learn by observing.

·        Unstructured play time

With unstructured play time children learn to think creatively, problem solving, and develop reasoning and motor skills at early ages through unstructured, unplugged play.

·        Providing children to visit new places

This helps them to interact with stimuli which are new so children are provided with the opportunity to explore and develop creativity. That will help them in future dealing with the "Unknown" and they will be better prepared to face the unforeseen challanges which they might not have anticipated. They will also develop a sense of independence and they are more likely to conquer their fears and grow into properly functioning adults 

·        Express love and emotion to them

Prophet ﷺ use to publically express love to children. With that children learn to communicate their emotions.

    ·        Allowing them to play team sports

From this they can learn cooperation and team work.

    ·        Teaching them swimming, archery and horseback riding

Parents are encouraged to teach their children sports like swimming, archery and horseback riding.

   · Parents should teach Quran as much as possible in their early ages

As learning is more quick and memory of child is more likely to retain the Quran. In this way they can spend time with their parents as also they will be able to get the reward of learning the Quran. It also built an Islamic character in a child.

   ·        By picking out beneficial hobbies such as reading etc.

Parents can reduce the addiction of gadgets and technology by helping children

Adopt hobbies which would prove beneficial for their children.

   ·        By Asking Allah for help

One should Allah's help because he says “And if Allah touches you with hurt, there is none who can remove it but He; and if He intends any good for you, there is none who can repel His Favor which He causes it to reach whomsoever of His slaves He will. And He is the Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.” (Quran 10:107) He is only who is capable and able to fulfill all the needs and wants of Hi slaves.

Conclusion:

Children are a blessing, mercy of Allah on us. For their best cognitive, emotional and social development they don’t need highly advanced technologies and gadgets they need us to be an important part of their lives. Children have right on us and we can’t deny that right by replacing us by modern technology. We have to remember our children are what we make of them so we should try our best and ask Allah for His help.

Bibliography

Davis, D. (2013, Janruary 15). CELL PHONES, RADIATION & YOUR CHILD’S HEALTH. Retrieved December 1, 2015, from healthychild.org: http://www.healthychild.org/cell-phones-radiation-your-childs-health/

Nutr., A. J. (2010, September 22). Global prevalence and trends of overweight and obesity among preschool children. Retrieved December 1, 2015, from pubmed.gov: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20861173

Rowan, C. (2008, may 5). The Impact of Technology on Child Sensory and Motor Development. Retrieved december 1, 2015, from sensomotorische integratie.: http://www.sensomotorische-integratie.nl/CrisRowan.pdf