Pros and cons of digital devices in the hands of young students

Are the benefits outweighing the downsides of potentially excessive use of these devices by younger and younger children?

I have three kids and they love their tech tools, but I worry about the possible effects of electromagnetic radiation, and about the way in which time spent with these devices takes away from time they could be spending in more active pursuits. I also see skills and learning coming from their use of these tools. While I am clearly an advocate of technology, I also recognize that there are down sides and trade-offs that come with these advances. This guest post from Daniel Kimball reflects those realities and I look forward to hearing what readers think about this modern day dilemma. – K. Walsh

Digital devices are all the rage among young people today, across all ages. Tablets top the youngest student’s wish lists, pre-teens crave smart phones, and high school students would love to have both plus a laptop computer! MP3 players and other electronic devices are also widely used by many of today’s students.

Are digital devices plugging our children into experiences that actually fuel their creativity and make them consider the world beyond their neighborhood or are they robbing our children of some of the joys of childhood? A rewarding childhood should include experiences like climbing trees, playing tag, selling lemonade and daydreaming – are these still quintessential experiences for many of today’s youth or are they too glued to their small screens to partake in these types of activities?
Let’s consider some of the pros and cons of the digital age as it reflects in the developing hands and minds of today’s young people.

PROS include …

• Smartphones Can Give Parents Some Piece of Mind

Want to know where your child is at all times? Give them a smart phone. You can call or text your child to confirm their whereabouts. Many smart phones also contain GPS tracking that can be activated to specify the phone’s exact location.

• Every School Supply List Should Include a Computer

The reality is, a computer has become necessary to complete many homework assignments.  Students are required to research a topic, and sometimes the most current and accurate data is found online (assuming a student knows how to leverage critical thinking skills to assess the validity of the information). School courses in latter grades will require typed reports. And even the beloved shoe box project – illustrating a summer vacation, depicting the Amazon rain forest – is enhanced with color printouts.

• There’s an Awe-Inspiring Online World to Discover

The Information Age is a glorious gift to the curious child in many ways. Learn how to knit –  Identify the plants growing in the backyard – Research the family tree – Visit the depths of the ocean or the peak of the world’s tallest mountain without leaving the couch! Your child’s fondness for the search field may lead to real-life adventures later on.

• Young Music Fans Can Access More Than Just The Top 40

It used to be that kids tuned into radios to listen to the latest releases.  Today, the radio may be where they are introduced to an artist or a band. But the next stop is usually online to download their favorite song. Even better, while exploring an online music store, they can sample every imaginable genre, from A Cappella to Zydeco.

• Socialization & Social Learning

While this argument can go both ways (for example, the ‘heads down’ nature of kids walking around staring at their cell phones has a rather unsocial aspect to it), there is surely a strong element of socialization to many of the apps that young people use, such as Facebook and other social networking tools. Another possible upside to the social nature of some applications is the potential for social learning in the instructional setting.

CONS include …

• Health Risks Associated with Digital Device Usage

Keeping the kids busy during a long car ride is a cinch thanks to digital devices that will play apps, games, music, movies and TV shows. But children often wear earbuds and headphones, and in doing so, risk irreversible eardrum damage if the volume is too loud. Further, the EPA confirms that computer screens emit low levels of x-ray radiation. While there is no evidence that this radiation results in health problems, the EPA also advises that you limit your child’s time with a computer or tablet in on their laps and in front of their faces. And because enjoying digital devices tends to be a sedentary pastime, children may be more susceptible to weight gain.

• Exposure to Child Predators and Inappropriate Content

Many parents set limits on Internet use, and employ security and privacy features to protect their children. However, children can still find their way into an online chat room with strangers or click on an enticing ad that links to inappropriate content. Monitoring your child’s online activities is time-consuming, but imperative.

• Once Posted, Always Online

Children don’t always understand that their online activities are permanent. Worse, their poor judgment could lead to serious, and sometimes criminal, consequences. Before allowing children online, parents should discuss the cyber dangers of bullying, illegal downloading, and texting.

• Digital Devices May Be a Mind-Numbing Distraction

While plenty of children use their digital devices to download books, most are likely using their electronics to text friends, play apps or watch videos. Some argue that this technology overload is actually disconnecting our children – from nature, play and people.

So, do the pros outweigh the cons? This is still a topic that we understand little about. Surely technology opens up an amazing world of learning and productivity to today’s young students, but there are clearly dangers and legitimate concerns surrounding the use of these tools, and what constitutes too much use. It will probably be years before we start to really understand the impact of some of these drawbacks and potential issues. In the meanwhile, these tools are here to stay for the near term, so we should monitor their use and educate students on how to use them wisely without overusing them.