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It’s not uncommon to see kids having smartphones at a young age. Gone are the days when we used to get smartphones after graduation, but with the way technological advancements have progressed, it was just a matter of time before smartphones were within reach of toddlers. Smartphones have been an ally to everyone, but this has more damaging effects on kids. The disadvantages can be lengthy, from making them moody to affecting their overall personality development.
Today we’ll shed light on how smartphones are not only taking away a significant part of our children’s lives but also their indirect effects on their growth. So let’s dive right into it!
1. Smartphones Might Make Them Feel Unhappy And Unsatisfied
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People across the globe share crores of posts daily, flaunting their lavish lifestyle. But unfortunately, the grass is not always greener on the opposite side. If your kid indulges in watching something online and develops a desire for something that you won’t be able to provide, they might start feeling unhappy. Moreover, they’ll feel unwanted if they see their friends having fun and are not invited.
2. Kids Can Develop Behavioral Problems
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Suppose your kid is someone who’s always on their phone and ignores you whenever you try to communicate with them. In that case, we are afraid to tell you that they might also develop symptoms of ADHD(Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder), and studies have proved this (1).
This smartphone addiction might result in your child’s depleted emotional and social development.
3. It’s Over Usage Can Cause Obesity
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This reason might not be a surprising one for anyone. Technology advancements have undoubtedly benefited humankind, but elsewhere, it has also resulted in poor body health. For example, children must participate in motor activities to achieve optimal body growth. But, if they lie on their sofa or bed throughout the day, scrolling through their phone screen, watching videos, or playing games, they are bound to have obese.
4. Kids Develop Bad Sleeping Habit
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A research concluded a clear connection between children’s insufficient sleep and excessive screen time (2). A lack of adequate sleep also contributes to various major behavioral and physical issues. A few examples are poor academic achievement, risk-taking behavior, and diminished cognitive function. Remember that your kid must get enough sleep to be ready for the activities the following day.
5. It Can Cause Anxiety
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According to the British Psychological Society, smartphone use can contribute to mental health issues like stress, despair, and others (3). There are other causes for this as well: Children can get overly emotionally invested in their online lives because they are constantly pressured to be active and reply at any time. Additionally, they cannot frequently distinguish between “social media” and real-world contexts.
6. There’s No Room For Social Bonding
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It is a trend that online friends are better than real-life friends. Teens don’t want to get out of bed and meet their friends in the real world and still relate to this message. So why would they do the needful? Every friend they have is a click away if they want to see each other. They prefer video calling over going out and texting over speaking on their phone. Indirectly every step they take as a kid will make their life more difficult because they will lack critical social skills.
7. Impacts Their Adulting Process
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We believed that adulthood was an enjoyable experience that allowed us to do whatever we pleased with whomever we pleased, purchase as much candy as we pleased, and wear sneakers or drive our vehicle whenever we felt like it. But unfortunately, it appears that the younger generations are uninterested in becoming adults. According to several publications and studies, teenagers today prefer a slower way of living: they don’t date,, earn a living, live independently of their parents, or drive. Instead, they just want to stay inside this dreamy bubble where everything is smoothly happening.
8. It Ruins The Parent-Child Bond
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The relationship between parents and their kids is crucial. However, psychologists now claim that smartphones can sabotage that connection. Nowadays, children will more closely connect with their parents without a smartphone than one who’s only involved in it. But, on the other hand, kids with smartphones will never respond on time because they prioritize everything over their friendly devices.
9. Too Much Information Makes Them Insensitive
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Smartphones act as a global entry point. On the internet, we can find many helpful resources and guidance that we can apply to our personal and professional lives. However, this resource also has a negative side full of unpleasant things like cyberbullying and violence. Additionally, as this research indicates, exposure to them desensitizes kids and encourages them to accept this conduct as a typical problem-solving method(4).
Well, it’s clear that smartphones are not for everyone and particularly not for those who don’t even know the concept of being socially active. Do you think it is beneficial to them if they get introduced to such delicate technology at such a young age? Let us know your feelings about kids having smartphones in the comments.
