Kelsey Lawless

Professor Bevill
ENGL 1301-03
6 March 2016
Technology and Children
There is such a wide variety of technology, but the three main ones children use are video
games, Ipad/Iphones, and computers. Some say that technology has no harm in children, and
others say that children should not use it at all. Technology is growing rapidly, and is just about
everywhere. A new study by the Kaiser Family Foundation found that the average kid (eighteighteen) sponges in two and a half hours of music each day, almost five hours of television,
three hours of Internet and video games, and only thirty-eight minutes of old-fashioned reading
(Study Shows, par. 2). Statistics say that we are truly in the midst of an explosion of technology
(Phishing, par. 8). Introducing technology to children at such a young age can have both positive
and negative effects on them.
Research has proven that there are quite a few positive effects that technology has on
children. For example, video games and other screen media improve visual-spatial capabilities,
increase attentional ability, reaction times, and the capacity to identify details among clutter
(Taylor, par. 11). Technology expands the minds of children and makes them think. Certain
phones have apps that children can download. These apps contain learning games so that
children can learn while having fun. Schools are also teaching young children how to use
computers and how to research certain things. The internet is a useful tool and contains a lot of
beneficial information. Experts have said that introducing children to computers helps their
educational skills, teaches spatial and logical skills, prepares children for future computer use,

increases self-esteem and self-confidence, boosts problem solving skills, stimulates language
comprehension, and improves long term memory (Edwards, par. 4). Technology in the classroom
helps children become focused and it also makes them excited to learn. Research proves that
children need to use technology at a one-to-five ratio. This means that for every one minute spent
on the technology product there should be an equivalent of five minutes of time spent doing
something else, such as spending time interacting with people (Rosen, par, 10). If technology is
used in this way, it can be very useful and also fun for children.
Teaching young children to use technology can result in some health issues, social skill
issues, and also academic issues. There are always some negatives when taking in too much
technology time. Research shows that children who spend too much time on technology tend to
be non-sociable. Being non-sociable results in not being able to make friends or develop
relationships with them. Too much time on technology can also create disabilities. One of the
most common disabilities children get when using technology too much is ADHA (attention
deficit hyperactivity disorder). Some other disabilities include psychiatric disorders, coordination
disorder, anxiety, sensory processing disorder, and depression (health research, par. 13). With
technology increasing and growing even more, these disorders are on the rise. Research has also
proven that using technology in the classroom can cause problems. Some children seem to get
distracted easily and tend to not pay attention in class. When children get distracted they no
longer are focused, which results in not learning the valuable lessons being taught.
Research proves both positive and negative effects of children using technology. All
children have different minds so technology will affect each child differently. While some
children will react positively to technology, other children may not. Research proves that
technology must be limited to children. When it is not limited, the side effects come into play

and cause problems. With technology on the rise, it is important that children are balancing their
issues.

Works Cited
Laurie Edwards. Computers in Preschool: Hurting or Helping? Computers in Prechool:
Hurting or Helping? 6 Aug. 2013. Web. 07 Mar. 2016.
Phishing, Spear. Technologys Explosion: The Exponential Growth Rate. Mainstay
Technologies. 25 Aug. 2015. Web. 07 Mar. 2016.
Rosen, Dr. Larry. How Much Technology Should You Let You Child Use? The Huffington
Post. TheHuffingtonPost.com, 24 June 2013. Web. 07 Mar. 2016.
Study Shows Kids Tethered to Technology. ABC News. ABS News Network. Web. 07 Mar.
2016.
Taylor, Jim. How Technology Is Changing The Way Children Think and Focus. Psychology
Today. 4 Dec. 2012. Web. 07 Mar. 2016.