Mobile phones have become an integral part of every family today. Almost all adults own a phone, and it is not uncommon for children to have access to them from a very young age. In fact, many parents give their children phones as a means to keep them entertained and prevent tantrums.
Did you know that technology legend and billionaire Bill Gates imposes a ban on his children’s use of electronic devices during mealtimes, at night, and on weekends? Tim Cook, the CEO of the world’s most famous phone company, Apple, also believes that parents need to control their children’s screen time.
In 2010, Nick Bilton, a reporter for The New York Times, had a conversation with Apple’s co-founder, Steve Jobs. Nick initiated the conversation by asking, “Your kids must love the iPad and iPhone, right?” To his surprise, Steve Jobs replied, “My kids haven’t used it. We limit how much technology our kids use at home.”
A study conducted by Harvard University involved 100 children, divided into two groups. One group consisted of children who did not use phones, while the other group was made up of children addicted to phone use. The results showed that only two children from the phone users group were accepted into college, whereas the majority of children from the non-phone users group gained admission.
The study further highlighted five key differences between children who use phones and those who don’t:
Difference in Expression Abilities
Children who frequently use phones tend to have poorer expressive language skills compared to those who spend their time playing outdoors. This is because phone programs are designed with vibrant colors and sounds to capture children’s attention. Over time, children can become dependent on the virtual world, leading to reduced face-to-face interaction and a subsequent decline in their expressive abilities.
On the other hand, children who spend more time outdoors and less time on phones have more opportunities to communicate with others, resulting in more flexible and expressive language skills.
Difference in Intelligence
As children cannot always self-regulate their phone usage, they may become addicted and neglect their studies. Most children have similar intellectual potential, but the biggest differences arise from their environment and parental guidance.
When children are addicted to phones, their focus shifts away from academics. This difference becomes more apparent in high school, where the academic performance of phone-addicted children tends to decline.
Difference in Concentration
Children who regularly use phones often struggle with concentration. This can impact their thinking abilities and, consequently, their academic performance. Concentration is a crucial factor in helping children maximize their learning and working potential. Excellence in any field requires sustained focus.
As children progress through higher grades, they need to absorb more knowledge, demanding even greater concentration and cognitive abilities. However, many children tend to spend more time on their phones as they get older, leading to a lack of focus on their studies, which makes it challenging to understand and master new concepts.
Difference in Vision
The earlier a child is exposed to phone screens, the higher the risk of eye damage. Children who frequently view screens are more likely to experience dry eyes, redness, and refractive errors.
Difference in Personality
Some children who use phones extensively may come to view their phones as their friends, leading to a preference for virtual interactions over real-world social connections. This can result in a more introverted personality and negatively impact their social skills as they grow up.
In contrast, children who enjoy interacting and socializing with others tend to be more extroverted and have better language expression.
While mobile phones are indispensable in modern life and offer many benefits, it is essential for parents to monitor their children’s usage to prevent potential harm.