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Research now links overuse of technology by children to a whole gamut of issues, including obesity, behavioral issues, and total loss of social skills.
While parents don’t need to all-out ban technology from their homes, there are definitive limits that should be placed on how often they let their kids turn on the screens, according to research published by National University. “Children will naturally be interested in watching various programs, playing video games, and using app-based technology,” NU continues, “it’s vital for parents to make sure children are spending time outside and getting enough physical activity,” otherwise they run the risk of becoming obese.
One of the easiest ways to encourage your kids to get outside is to go out there and play with them. Why not throw a frisbee, go for a walk around the park, or even check-out for the weekend on a camping trip?
Social & Behavioral Issues
“When kids spend a significant amount of time on social media, it can lead to lower self-esteem. Teens are seeing curated content, a digital highlight reel, which can lead to distress due to teens comparing themselves to their peers. In general, technology use can cause social and behavioral problems in children because it minimizes the amount of time kids spend interacting with others,” NU adds. (RELATED POLL: Are You Happy With the Direction Our Country is Headed?)
Though it is barely discussed online, sources who spoke to Poll2Action on condition of anonymity said there are clear differences between the kids who use tech, and the kids who don’t. “My friend’s child only has a phone for emergencies. He’s polite, friendly, just like all the other kids who don’t sit around watching YouTube and playing digital games all day,” the source explained. “The ones whose parents put them in front of televisions or phones? Those children are nightmares. They have zero emotional regulation and are exhausting to be around.”
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