Should we hand a device with access to the whole internet to a child who still believes in the tooth fairy? Nowadays smartphones have become an essential part of our everyday life from doomscrolling to communicating with our friends and family, where it became the bridge that connects us the world around us. However, parents and educators are torn to decide whether children should not have access to such technology at a small age. I strongly agree with this view as children are incapable of controlling their use, selecting and avoiding specific content online which will lead to long-term damage on their perspective, ideas and mental health.
Firstly, at such a small age, children don’t have the decision-making skills or much experience to detect misinformation or harmful content online which will lead to exposure to inappropriate thoughts and ideas and even cyberbullying. Exposure to harmful content in children unlike adults will always lead to permanent changes in their perception of the world and personalities because the content can directly change their innocent and raw minds to shape their beliefs and principles. For instance: many statistical evidence from constant studies on psychological and neurological patterns in the children after exposure to smartphones which should transformations in brain responsible for decision-making and perception, additionally trends of increased aggression have been found with children who spend more time on smartphones. For this reason, we need protect the children by preventing access to smart phones.
Secondly, spending hours watching short videos and content online leads to long term issues with attention and focus especially for children, in addition to the dopamine influx while watching these videos, leading to something like an “addiction” for years to come. This will cause strong attachment in children to their phones and refusal to go outside or meet new people which impedes a necessary part of their development. For example: research and studies on the changes in attention spans over the years and how in 20 years it fell by about 4 whole seconds which is extremely concerning for the future of next generations. That why we should limit access of the younger groups to that kind of technology.
Ultimately, while some may argue that the ‘correct’ use of technology and smartphones can help children develop more understanding and critical thinking, I believe this will never be applicable in the real world where misinformation and spread of damage will always find loop holes to reach and poison the young minds. For these reasons it is better to be safe than sorry.