HASTI PUBLIC SCHOOL & JR.COLLEGE ,DONDAICHA
BLOG NO.230
The technology in our world has advanced tremendously in the areas of science, engineering, and medicine.
We have been able to discover new things about our world by way of new tools and machinery. But, with the good, comes the bad. *The wave of “smart” electronics has started to make its impression on our mental health as well as our youth.
According to the RECENT RESEARCH , children spend an average of seven and a half hours every day on digital devices. Not only does this mean that our kids are becoming more inactive physically, but they are also damaging their mental well-being and resiliency muscles. Without resilience, children can struggle when dealing with failures, relationships, and health conditions, physical as well as mental.
What happens when a child is glued to their electronics?
Here are just a few reasons to have your child (as well as yourself) take a time-out from technology:
1. Brain development can be altered. A child’s brain continues to develop up to 25 years of age
Stimulation caused by overexposure to technologies (cell phones, internet, iPads, TV, etc.) has been associated with attention deficit, rational delays, impaired learning, increased impulsivity, and decreased ability to self-regulate.
2. No physical activity equals less mental activity. When we are constantly watching a screen, not only is our body not moving, but our mind is not exercising either. Aside for physical stamina, CHILDREN also gain many social skills from playing and running around with their friends such as compromise, sharing, and resolving conflict.
Sitting and staring at digital media can contribute to decreased concentration and memory due to frontal cortex damage.
3. Independence is becoming a lost art. if our child forgets to bring their books or homework to school, they can quickly dial or text their parents who are all too quick to run to their child’s aid. In this instance, bringing the homework teaches the child that they can rely on their parents to get them out of a jam. Instead, we need to let our children fail every now and again so they pick up skills for themselves and learn from their mistakes.
4. Relationships become more detached. The more connected we are to our devices, the less time we spend with our loved ones. When it comes to a parent child relationship, parents need to be careful how much time they spend with technology. When a parental attachment is lacking, often times the child will resort to attaching to technology. This addiction can be dangerous if the digital content is violent as the child may act out these virtual scenarios.
5. A time alone to your thoughts is healthy! A prominent component to flexing your resiliency muscle is to have time for you and you alone. Being able to reflect on the day or an event lets you sort out what went right, what went wrong, and how can you improve.
It is important to pay attention to how much time we spend in front of screens and how this in turn can affect our youth and those around us. Many of us spend our downtime mindlessly flipping through Facebook, checking our text messages, or scanning Pinterest. *Make your mental health a priority by using technology sparingly and keeping digital damage at bay.
The Digi century is seemingly delved into a fast forward life. Work pressure has simultaneously increased with the growing technologies aiming towards optimum utilization of available minimal resources. Social gatherings have transited to online platforms and we hardly communicate face to face now. This has also massively affected children’s behavior. They are reluctant to talk to people and addicted to smart devices. The traditional way of socialization has vanished and fashioned into a new trend of virtual socialization.
The present generation observe much, listen less and experiment more. They tend to do more than they are asked to do. They like exploring things on their own. They *like to imitate things. No matter how small their age, they still wonder why can’t they do all things what their parents and all elders generall*y do. Their demands increase day by day and parents literally oblige to it. They detest being controlled by anyone on earth.
Seeking appreciation for every little thing is common. They are scholars in seeking attention, all dramatic style is acted on to pacify parents to get the things done for them. Do you agree with me?
Parents have to put up with everything to make their little life comfortable. While taking into consideration above things it’s important to know appropriate usage of internet and digital devices.
We are well aware of cyberbullying and other proposed threats of the internet. What are we doing about protecting our kids from such risky threats?
Here are 6 good habits to help you find your kid’s safe online:
1. First learn then teach: Children always look up to us and imitate. So we need to be extra vigilant in all our actions. Parents need to project positive things especially while being in the presence of children. Don’t give any reason to point fingers at you later. If you yourself are in the wrong direction how can you guide your children?
2. Encourage to talk freely: Establish a friendly relationship with your children. This closeness gives them freedom to share everything with you without any hesitation. It will be easy for you to keep track of every child’s online activity and be assured of threat-free internet usage.
3. Keep under your vigilance: Always make sure your child sits under your sight while using the internet so that you can keep a close watch on your child’s access to the internet. Attend your child’s queries. This will encourage you to approach every issue the child encounters.
4. Practice parental controls: Equip yourself with the complete knowledge of Internet safety tools and measures. Especially learn about kid’s online safety through government sites and other sites dedicated to educate on Internet safety and cyber threats. There are OTT platforms featuring parental control. Know about their appropriate usage and track your child’s program usage. Advise them to watch age-related programs only.
5. Keep safe important documents: Avoid giving your personal mobiles and other smart devices to children. Either keep a separate smart device for kid’s entertainment or education use or keep away from child’s reach. There is a possibility that out of curiosity children might go to places and open important documents which cannot be afforded to be lost or brought into public view. Blunders are bound to happen yet double security must be ensured. Passwords and pins should be locked. Social media settings also need to be secured and kept private. Children who are tech-savvy might go a step forward in exploring, in such cases teach your child what can be shared in public and what needs to be private, what pictures can be uploaded and to be cautious while using the internet
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6. Keep track of frequency of usage: According to studies it’s advisable for children to be in front of smart screens for longer hours . Also be mindful of imposing too many restrictions which may lead to stubbornness and aggressiveness and enable kids to keep secrets.
Encourage your child to opt more outdoor activities. This will help develop good exercise habits, boost immunity and promote good health.
“Children are the world’s most valuable resource and its best hope for the future.” – John F. Kennedy
Let’s cultivate a healthy environment for our kids as they bloom into wonderful beings on this planet. A stitch in time saves nine. Refining digital usage is essential. Inspire them through your exemplary actions to be responsible kids. Teach early than later regret.
I THOUGHT YOU MIGHT LIKE THIS AS A GOOD TOPIC FOR PARENTS ORIENTATION IN MEETINGS* PLEASE FEEL FREE TO POST YOUR COMMENDATION ,REMARKS ,SUGGESTIONS
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