Brought to you by Charles Nechtem Associates
August 2021 EAP: 800-531-0200
The Impact of Technology on Children
Parenting children of today’s generation comes with a unique set of challenges due to
the many recent advancements in technology. There is no denying the reach
technology has in our lives, as well as the lives of our children.
Technology is virtually in every home in one way
or another: about 96% of Americans have a TV
and 94% of children ages 3 to 18 have internet
access either through a computer or
smartphone. According to a national survey
done by Common Sense Media in 2019, 53% of
children have a smartphone by the time they turn
11. Therefore, it’s important for parents to be
mindful of how their children use technology and
the potential effects—both positive and negative.
Negative Impacts
Technology can negatively affect children’s developing social skills, relationships,
health, and overall ability to focus.
• Social skills: With the increased use of technology, children might not be adequately
developing their social skills. This can lead to more children being socially awkward,
withdrawn, shy, or intimidated by social situations. They might not know how to engage
with other children or adults. Developing social skills takes practice, and if technology is
often in the way, there are fewer opportunities for kids to develop these skills.
• Relationships: Children might get used to being alone and lose the desire to engage
with their parents or even friends, outside of the internet. Often the virtual reality of their
devices is more appealing and entertaining than the physical reality.
• Health problems: Technology can potentially influence the child’s developing brain and
problem-solving skills. For instance, the child might be reliant on a device to solve
problems for them rather than using brain connections to work through a problem and
find a solution. There could also be a lack of exercise due to being inside, which can
cause weight gain. If kids use their devices before bedtime, this could lead to reduced
sleep quality, affecting their overall wellbeing and immune system.
• Ability to focus: Children who spend a lot of time using devices might have a reduced
attention span and ability to focus due to their reliance on technology to pay attention for
them. This is evident in classrooms, where teachers are opting for shorter lesson plans
to accommodate students becoming easily distracted.
• Dangers of browsing: With so much information available on the internet, it’s difficult
for parents to monitor what their children are exposed to, including inappropriate content
or interactions with strangers.
Positive Impacts
There are also many ways in which technology can positively impact our lives and those
of our children—it all depends on how the technology is being used.
• Organization: Technology can be beneficial to organization and planning. For example,
families can keep an online calendar to make it easier to stay updated on each other’s
schedules. Group text messaging is also convenient for streamlining communication and
keeping everyone in the loop. Lastly, technology also makes budgeting easier with
different apps, which can help parents teach children about money management.
• Research and critical thinking: The internet provides access to a great deal of
information and resources to help children learn about different topics. This is helpful for
school projects or for researching areas of interest. This can also be a teachable
moment, by showing children how to sift through information to find reliable sources.
• Bonding and community: Technology can foster connection by allowing kids to stay in
touch with family members or friends who do not live close by. Also, kids can interact
with others in their age group while playing games online and learn to play as a team.
• Self-expression: Children can learn how to share their thoughts online, which is a
powerful tool that can build confidence. They can learn how to connect with others and
be exposed to other viewpoints or perspectives.
• Creativity and exploring interests: In many ways, technology fosters creativity and
learning new skills through various apps for all different ages. Children can explore
different areas they have an interest in, such as learning to play an instrument, creative
writing, or beginner programs related to various subjects.
Life Advantages, LLC © 2021
