TV/Internet/Video Games Effects on Children

 

TV/Internet/Video Games Effects on Children

Over the years, the internet has become a scary thing to parents with young children. When I think about the effects that different technologies have on children, my main concern is how isolated they become from the outside, or “real world.” School performance starts to decline and children become depressed. If a parent is doing their job and monitoring the child’s internet use, what sites they go to or who they are talking to, then worries about predators shouldn’t be an issue.

            A very good family friend that I know had a son that was almost 17. He had never had a homecoming date, been to a high school party, went to a football game, or even had friends over. About 5 years ago, he committed suicide. His mother blamed herself for years thinking he was being bullied online and that it was her fault for not catching on to it. In my opinion, he secluded himself from the outside world and created his own world where he shut everything out and had his games to make him feel comfortable. He would lock himself in his room for hours to play these games and would lose track of time before he finally stopped playing. Ever since this has happened to someone close, I look at technology and the effects that TV, internet, and video games have on someone. This was a 17 year old so I can’t imagine the effects it can have on someone younger.

            Internet is an undermining of today’s society. If used in an appropriate way, it can help aid children in healthy development. An article written by EU Kid Online states that “It has not been established that children under nine years old have the capacity to engage with the internet in a safe and beneficial manner in all circumstances, especially when it comes to this age group socializing online, either within age appropriate virtual worlds or as underage participants in sites intended for teenagers and adults (Facebook, You Tube etc.).”

            When you start to think about the issue in today’s society with the internet, your mind tends to go wonder more and more about the time that is spend online and what it is really being used for. Most high school’s now require internet use for courses taken and books can mostly be accessed online. If you notice, most Elementary and Junior High Schools do not require this. The child is like a sponge and soaks up any and all knowledge that comes across them. The last thing an educator wants is that child to be on a website that is not safe. In most Junior High Schools, a computer course is required where they teach the children the “do’s and don’ts of technology use. According to the American Psychological Association, “time spent online is time not spent elsewhere.”

            Arguments have been made when it comes to social networking and underage children. Although the social networking sites, Facebook and Twitter, are meant for teenagers from 16 and up, there is nothing keeping them from creating a site of their own. The arguments made are that these particular sites help keep communication between distant friends and family, and keep you up to date with current events. In all honesty, children should not be using social networking sites for anything, especially those that are underage.

            In conclusion, the effects of TV, internet, and video games is an issue that we will continuously have to monitor and deal with. It is important for parents to make it known to children that the technology should be used for knowledgeable situations. Compromises will have to be made when it comes to time online and time spent outside or out with friends. It is also an issue that can be decreased with just a simple talk to get kids aware of the effects that it can have.

Citations

Jackson, L., Eye, A., & Biocca, F. (2014). Children and Internet Use: Social, Psychological and Academic Consequences for Low-income Children. 2-2. Retrieved November 8, 2014, from http://www.apa.org/science/about/psa/2003/12/jackson.aspx

Holloway, D., Green, L., & Livingstone, S. (2013, February 2). Zero to Eight: Young Children and Their Internet Use. Retrieved November 8, 2014, from http://eprints.lse.ac.uk/52630/1/Zero_to_eight.pdf

Norcia, A. (2014, January 1). The Impact of Video Games. Retrieved November 8, 2014, from http://www.pamf.org/parenting-teens/general/media-web/videogames.html