Nowadays, a lot of children are overusing electronic devices such as computers, tablets, and smartphones, and this has many drawbacks despite some benefits. Spending a large part of their free time on using these devices brings more disadvantages than advantages.
Firstly, using electronic devices for children has several benefits. They can access enormous sources of knowledge to study language skills and enhance their ability. Right now, there are various online courses that allow learners to join for free and reward them with a certificate after completion, such as Coursera. Besides, children can use social media for entertainment to reduce stress through some platforms like YouTube, TikTok, and Facebook. They can listen to music, watch films, and chat with friends to help them relax after long hours of learning.
However, the benefits are overshadowed by the disadvantages. Overusing electronic devices can lead to several negative effects. Children who spend a lot of time using electronic devices can have reduced physical health. They refuse to take part in sports or other outdoor activities. Overusing electronic devices can also have a negative effect on study outcomes. The prevalence of short videos on social platforms causes overload and even “brain fatigue” due to exposure to too much unnecessary information. This leads them to distraction and makes it hard to pay attention, while the study process requires active and long hours of learning. In contrast, overusing social platforms is a passive form of entertainment. Another negative effect is that spending a large part of free time using electronic devices can make children addicted. When children entertain themselves by playing games, they have to keep playing to maintain the dopamine reward mechanism. The more they play, the more pleasure they gain, and this affects their attention span. Repeating this process can make them addicted and dependent on these games.
In conclusion, overusing electronic devices has both positive and negative effects. This can be useful for online learning, searching for information, or entertainment. But it is undeniable that overusing them can reduce physical health, harm study outcomes, and make children addicted or unable to focus.