The Impact of Technology on Child Development: Research Essay

This essay delves into the complex relationship between technology and child development. It examines research from various sources, highlighting both the benefits and drawbacks of technology's influence. The essay explores how technology can enhance learning and provide access to information, while also acknowledging potential negative impacts such as cyberbullying, social isolation, and effects on cognitive abilities. The essay references several studies, including those by Britto et al. (2017), Takacs et al. (2015), Chassiakos et al. (2016), Radesky et al. (2015), Yilmaz (2016), and Vittrup et al. (2016), to support its arguments. The conclusion emphasizes the importance of parental and teacher guidance in mitigating the negative effects and maximizing the positive impacts of technology on children's overall development, encompassing social, physical, and emotional aspects.

COURSEWORK

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Question: Does the use of technology enhances a child’s development?........................................3
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................5

Question: Does the use of technology enhances a child’s development?
There are several studies that has demonstrated that technology has both benefited and
harmed the child's overall growth. Britto. & et.al (2017) stated that it has been a blessing by
which kids are able to easily learn and connect with people on several interesting aspects related
to the academics from all around the world. Additionally, it a curse as well due to cyber bullying
and other forms of criminal activities such as abuse, discrimination etc. which impact their
development in negative ways.
According to Takacs, Swart & Bus (2015) technology has benefited the children in
learning new things at faster and interesting manner. There is an ease in understanding the
complex topics and principles and as made the kids to grasp the concepts and ideas in
collaborative approach. The children learn about new cultures, languages and the glorified
history in both positive and negative terms which give them viewpoints to understand how the
worldly affairs are functional and relevant. However, Chassiakos & et.al. (2016) critiqued that
with technological advancements, it has impacted the cognitive abilities of children adversely
and led to spoon feeding attitude for completing tasks or given work. There are also issues
related to abuse and such sociological perspectives which affect the child's progression and bring
them towards the darker side. This leads to complicated emotional outbursts in the form of
depression or suicidal tendencies.
Also, Radesky, Schumacher & Zuckerman (2015) elucidated that technology has changed
the social interactive skills among children which has affected the mental and emotional well
being. For instance, kids are addicted to video games and other games that are available on the
smartphones. This led to lower frequencies of mingling nature and making the children grow
isolated and away from their surroundings. Here, Yilmaz (2016) emphasized that earlier times
made kids to go out and play in open spaces and not confined in their homes which helped them
grow into well developed socially viable individuals in the near future. He further added that due
to technology, it has been seen that children are socially awkward and are living in the virtual
world without any contact from the outer world and affecting their imagination and other related
creative skills.
Consequently, in accordance to Vittrup & et.al (2016) technology has been proved
beneficial under the controlling authority by the parents and teachers. Under their strict
monitoring, children uses the technology in all the forms effectively and appropriately. Its

influence has affected the way of thinking among children and supported in developing their
brains through effective tools by wiring their mind to finish tasks independently. Moreover, ()
highlighted that technology has definitely helped a child to experience things from all the spheres
of life by sitting under one roof. This paved the path for the parents and teachers to give an all
round development of children in context to social, physical and emotional. To sum up, it is
clearly described that technology has helped children in developing their capacities, abilities and
competencies.

REFERENCES
Britto, P. R. & et.al (2017). Nurturing care: promoting early childhood development. The
Lancet,
Chassiakos, Y. L. R. & et.al. (2016). Children and adolescents and digital
media. Pediatrics.138(5). e20162593.
Radesky, J. S., Schumacher, J., & Zuckerman, B. (2015). Mobile and interactive media use by
young children: the good, the bad, and the unknown. Pediatrics.135(1). 1-3.
Takacs, Z. K., Swart, E. K., & Bus, A. G. (2015). Benefits and pitfalls of multimedia and
interactive features in technology-enhanced storybooks: A meta-analysis. Review of educational
research.85(4). 698-739.
Vittrup, B., Snider, S., Rose, K. K., & Rippy, J. (2016). Parental perceptions of the role of media
and technology in their young children’s lives. Journal of Early Childhood Research.14(1). 43-
54.
Yilmaz, R. M. (2016). Educational magic toys developed with augmented reality technology for
early childhood education. Computers in Human Behavior.54. 240-248.