Technology's Negative Effects On Children

Technology serves as a form of entertainment, a means of communication, or a way to become more educated, but most of all, technology is a way of life. The use of technology globally has only increased in recent years, as scientists discover larger, more complex forms of it. As science continually moves forward without pause, society willingly moves with it. Unfortunately, there are cons to the never-ending use of technology. The extensive use of advanced technology diminishes the bonds between families, friends, and couples who utilize it. Admittedly, technology contributes tremendously when it comes to communication. Teens are able to use social media to keep in touch with friends or even meet new ones. Pew Research Center conducted a survey

With cell phones, parents are able to contact their children in seconds, who are only a text away. Apps exist today that can track the location of anyone, using GPS signals and cellular devices. Despite these advantages, technology still has changed the interactions and connections between people in a negative way. First of all, the advancement in technology allows parents and their children to be more distant from each other. Technology has a stronger presence in the lives of children today now than it ever has before. The impressionable minds of the children of this generation are continually exposed to a caricature of what their parents are supposed to be, from television. Specifically, an article on Psychology Today states, “Over the past two decades, children who, for example, watch television, have received messages from popular culture telling them that parents are selfish, immature, incompetent, and generally clueless, for example, from Malcolm in the Middle, Tool Time, Family Guy, Two and a Half Men, and I Hate My Teenage Daughter, not to mention reality TV shows such as SuperNanny and the Housewives franchise.” Children’s shows

The use of social media in society is unbelievable. Smart Insights states, “10 years ago on 7% of the US population used one or more social networking sites. Now that figure has increased almost tenfold, to 65%. Of those who use the internet a massive majority of 76% of Americans use social media.” With the increased use of social media and internet, basic social skills and habits are disappearing. Teens today have become accustomed to sending texts to each other, rather than communicating in person. Furthermore, teens and adults alike do not know how to have a comfortable conversation. People nowadays are becoming handicapped to their phones, unable to give up the ability to erase and rewrite their response before sending it. Communication with cell phones is convenient and safe for most people. However, with the use of texting and social media, people are sacrificing personal connections. Andrea Rodriguez said in an article on The Bottom Line, “Little by little, Internet and mobile technology seems to be subtly destroying the meaningfulness of interactions we have with others, disconnecting us from the world around us, and leading to an imminent sense of isolation in today’s society. Instead of spending time in person with friends, we just call, text or instant message them.” Friends continue to lose personal connections with each other as the convenience of