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Kelsey Lawless
Professor Bevill
ENGL 1301-03
6 March 2016
Technology and Children
There is such a wide variety of technology, but the four main ones children use are video
games, Ipads, Iphones, and computers. Some parents say that technology has no harm on
children, and others say that children should not use it at all. Technology is growing rapidly, and
is just about everywhere. The Kaiser Family Foundation is a website that contains trusted
information on national health issues. They studied and also found that the typical kid from ages
eight to eighteen take in two and a half hours of music each day, close to five hours of television,
three hours of internet use, and also video games, but they only take in thirty-eight minutes of
reading (Study Shows, par. 2). Experts have proven that this world is truly in the middle of an
outburst 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 similar products help improve visual-spatial skills
as well as better their attentional ability. Video games especially improve the reaction time of
children, and the ability to recognize information 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

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things. The internet is a useful tool and contains a lot of beneficial information. Educational
skills, spatial and logical skills, computer use, self-esteem, assurance, problem resolving skills,
language comprehension, and long term remembrance are all very important things to have.
Research has proven that introducing children to computers helps them with all of those things
listed (Edwards, par. 4). Computers will help children for future references by teaching them to
search for things and also to help them learn to use their resources to find out valuable
information. Technology in the classroom helps children become focused and it also makes them
excited to learn. Studies prove that children should use technology at a one to five ratio. For
every one minute spent using the technology product, a comparable of five minutes should be
spent doing something else, such as spending time interacting with people, playing outside, or
spending time with family (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 negatives such as 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 ADHD
(attention deficit hyperactivity disorder). Some other disabilities include psychiatric disorders,
coordination disorder, anxiety, sensory processing disorder, and depression (Edwards, 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

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longer are focused, which results in not learning the valuable lessons being taught. Introducing
computers to children can be harmful. There are things out on the internet that are very
dangerous and a child could access something or see something that is not appropriate for their
age. It is important to know the side effects of using technology and how it can affect a child.
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 suggests that
technology should 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
uses of it and also being safe. (See Fig, One).

Figure One. The Promise Of Accelerating Growth in Technology

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Works Cited
Edwards, Laurie.. "Computers in Preschool: Hurting or Helping?" Computers in Preschool:
Hurting or Helping? 6 Aug. 2013. Web. 07 Mar. 2016.
Hallberg, Robert. "The Promise Of Accelerating Growth In Technology." Seeking Alpha. 23 Mar.
2012. Web. 05 May 2016
Phishing, Spear. "Technology's Explosion: The Exponential Growth Rate." - Mainstay
Technologies. 25 Aug. 2015. Web. 07 Mar. 2016.
Rosen, Dr. Larry. "How Much Technology Should You Let Your Child Use?" The Huffington
Post. TheHuffingtonPost.com, 24 June 2013. Web. 07 Mar. 2016.
"Study Shows Kids Tethered to Technology." ABC News. ABC 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.