Pros And Cons Of Screen Media Essay

Like everything in life, there will always be pros and cons. Modern technology has made communication and media one of the fastest growing industries and area of social change. From the creation of the internet in 1983, to the introduction of the world wide web in the 1990’s (Andrews), the world has gone from local gossip and the newspaper to an age of connectivity that society has never seen before. At the press of a button, children have immediate access to more now than any other generation in the past. This can be beneficial. Children are curious and full of questions, “Why is the sky blue?”, “Who is …?”, “When did … start?”. This is how google became a verb, “Why don’t you google it.” The internet is full of answers to all the questions parents don’t know, and it can teach children to use their resources and research countless topics. Dr. Cheryl Olson writes, “…video games can be a powerful tool to help children develop certain life skills” (“8 Reasons”). Children learn to problem solve, use strategy, socialize and compete with one another, and develop interests in

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that parents should avoid the use of screen media, other than video chat, with children under 18 months, and for those 2-5 years old, screen time should be limited to an hour a day (Chai and Vuchnich). The average teen spends more than 11 hours per day either watching TV, on a social media device, or a computer (Strange). For older children, parents must develop a plan which places consistent limits on screen time that allow children adequate sleep, physical activities, and family time. Also suggested by the AAP is the designation of media free time, such as dinner time, and media free areas within the home (Chai and Vuchnich). Children’s exposure to electronic media has many benefits. Following a family plan that limits the time spent and the types of media can overcome the