Growing up in the twenty-first century is monumentally different than past generations; young children now have access to complex technology like smartphones and tablets in their everyday lives. Handing a young child a smartphone or tablet can satisfy them for hours, placing them into a technology-induced trance. Smartphone and tablet apps have been created, specifically targeting young children with the purpose of appeasing them. Especially for busy parents, allowing young children to use smart devices makes dealing with their erratic behavior less of a hassle. In addition, many of the apps made for young children also serve with educational intents, increasing the incentive for parents, daycare providers and preschools to allow young children
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According to Natasha Singer of the New York Times, “researchers found that 58 percent of the children’s apps contained ads, even though just 15 percent disclosed this before download”. Parties with the intent of profiting off young children know that they are easily influenced and take advantage of that. Unbeknownst to many parents, their children are in the hands of the media instead when given a smart device. In the book “Stop Teaching Our Children to Kill” the authors note the dangerous sway the media has on children, “each sphere of influence in a child’s life is impacted by mass media messages as well… The media has been called ‘the third parent’ because of its pervasive, repetitive, and constant presence in the lives of our children” (Grossman and DeGaetano 109). The media has overreaching influence on children’s lives today; advertisers are taking advantage of technology to instill certain ideas into the minds of young children: encouraging them to see the latest movie, buy certain toys and favor different ideals. Creators of children’s apps are hiding their true motives; their main goal is to make a profit, the best interests of young children are most likely not the main priority for the majority of these …show more content…
According to the Huffington Post “Diagnoses of ADHD, autism, coordination disorder, developmental delays, unintelligible speech, learning difficulties, sensory processing disorder, anxiety, depression and sleep disorders are associated with technology overuse” (Rowan). Allowing children to use technology for extended periods of time can pose serious risks, causing unhealthy habits. Parents are advised to only allow limited use of smart devices if any for young children. Technology has also been affecting young children’s sleep. “Portable media devices have entered the bedroom, giving children unprecedented access to technology and media before researchers have had a chance to explore the positive and negative impacts” (Canadian Broadcasting). Tolerating the use of technology in the bedroom can create sleep deprivation habits in these young children. Technology use for young children can lead to some very serious and irreversible changes. Parents should limit the time young children spend with technology before it is much too late to fix the
According to Natasha Singer of the New York Times, “researchers found that 58 percent of the children’s apps contained ads, even though just 15 percent disclosed this before download”. Parties with the intent of profiting off young children know that they are easily influenced and take advantage of that. Unbeknownst to many parents, their children are in the hands of the media instead when given a smart device. In the book “Stop Teaching Our Children to Kill” the authors note the dangerous sway the media has on children, “each sphere of influence in a child’s life is impacted by mass media messages as well… The media has been called ‘the third parent’ because of its pervasive, repetitive, and constant presence in the lives of our children” (Grossman and DeGaetano 109). The media has overreaching influence on children’s lives today; advertisers are taking advantage of technology to instill certain ideas into the minds of young children: encouraging them to see the latest movie, buy certain toys and favor different ideals. Creators of children’s apps are hiding their true motives; their main goal is to make a profit, the best interests of young children are most likely not the main priority for the majority of these …show more content…
According to the Huffington Post “Diagnoses of ADHD, autism, coordination disorder, developmental delays, unintelligible speech, learning difficulties, sensory processing disorder, anxiety, depression and sleep disorders are associated with technology overuse” (Rowan). Allowing children to use technology for extended periods of time can pose serious risks, causing unhealthy habits. Parents are advised to only allow limited use of smart devices if any for young children. Technology has also been affecting young children’s sleep. “Portable media devices have entered the bedroom, giving children unprecedented access to technology and media before researchers have had a chance to explore the positive and negative impacts” (Canadian Broadcasting). Tolerating the use of technology in the bedroom can create sleep deprivation habits in these young children. Technology use for young children can lead to some very serious and irreversible changes. Parents should limit the time young children spend with technology before it is much too late to fix the