Impact of Technology on Children and Adolescents

There has been an extensive use of technology by members from all generations owing to its wide expansion in the recent past hence an increased role of computers, electronic games and the internet on the lives of the humans (Moawad, & Ebrahem, 2016). Young persons are the ones impacted most by this advancement to the extent of affecting attainment of both social and educational goals. A big percentage of the adolescents are able to access cell phones, video games, the internet and other forms of technology (Subrahmanyam et al., 2001). The adolescents are unprecedentedly given access to a wide range of technological devices. A good number of the adolescents spend most of the time using the technology as well as the internet. The various modes of advancement available at their disposal include; video games, smartphones, IPods, cell phones among others (Subrahmanyam et al., 2001). This raises questions of the possible ways that technology may impact on the lives of children and the adolescents in their developmental process. Therefore this paper will discuss the impact that the tech has had on the development of the children and the adolescents.

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Developmental Impact

Adolescents experience both a change in the bodies as well as cognitive development. This is the time that they are charged with more responsibility and challenges from the previous freedom that they had (Subrahmanyam et al., 2001).

Spending much time playing computer games have an impact on the development of cognitive skills among children and adolescents. A significant number of computer programs more so the computer games have features embedded in them that distract the balance of how information is being processed from verbal to visual (Subrahmanyam et al., 2001). Well-known applications for entertainment include dynamic, spatial, ad iconic involves different activities taking place at varied locations. The skills that the children acquire as they play such games can be useful in the development of computer literacy abilities and set the stage for them in a scientific and technological world where activities are based on image manipulation (Subrahmanyam et al., 2001). The cognitive skills are positively impacted by entailing the spatial, visual intelligence, and iconic representation. With such skills, the children and the adolescents can comfortably find their way with computer applications.

Even with the changes in computer games and interactive technology, the logic behind still remains the same (Subrahmanyam et al., 2001). New trends have seen the incorporation of features that pay much attention to iconic representation, spatial imagery as well as dynamic and the ability to have to pay attention to different sections of the screen. This implies that the inherent nature of the effect of playing computer games remains the same (Subrahmanyam et al., 2001). The only noticeable effect will be on visual intelligence as the graphic increasingly become sophisticated. Spatial representation entails skills such as spatial visualization, metal rotation, and the ability to associate with two-dimensional representations. Spatial skills are closely linked to paling computer games which tend to its performance.

Another cognitive skill affected by playing computer games is iconic skills. This refers to the ability to read diagrams and pictorial representations (Subrahmanyam et al., 2001). Most computer games make use of images more than words. Spending time playing computer games will cause a shift in the representational formats from the use of words to iconic representation. Iconic skills are essential for the development of technical and scientific mindsets. The third cognitive skill is visual attention. Adolescents and children who play computer games tend to be able to follow up on different activities occurring at the same time. The children, therefore, gain attention skills as they engage themselves with computers.

Technology also impacts on the social and relationship progress of children and teenagers. Research on the internet addiction disorder shows that use of technology impacts on the social, neurophysiological and social structure of persons (Moawad, & Ebrahem, 2016). Technological interaction such as the playing computer games often brought the members together who share the game and at the same time interact with each other. From a number of studies, children and adolescents have advanced computer navigation skills as compared to their parents and guardians (Moawad, & Ebrahem, 2016). On the contrary, spending much time on computers, cell phones, television, and video games reduces the quality of attachments the adolescents have with their parents. This implies that there is a strong correlation between the use of technology by the adolescents and social interactions with their parents and guardians (Moawad, & Ebrahem, 2016).

Technology also boosts and sustains relationships. Use of internets enables online social relationships to thrive. Online modes of communication are used to keep in touch with close relatives and friends. Use of the internet to send emails complemented face to face interactions and telephone calls thus facilitating the establishment of new relationships between individuals and strangers (Moawad, & Ebrahem, 2016). Children and adolescents frequently use the internet to encounter new people those in their adolescence stage tend to try different social relationship and sustenance of peer groups to meet their developmental needs.

Engagement of teenagers with violent computer games even if it is for a short time may result in the transfer of short-term effects, for instance, increased aggression in some children and makes them think that the world is a scarier and meaner place to be than it actually is (Subrahmanyam et al., 2001).

A number of television programs though may seem appropriate for children to watch, they still contain traces of sexual activities. This tends to distort the notion that young girls have in their mind (Moawad, & Ebrahem, 2016). They tend to think that it is a right thing to engage in sexual activities. To emancipate the children for such ensures, it is recommended that parents and guardians play their role in upright bringing of their children (Moawad, & Ebrahem, 2016). They tend to be misinformed that simple sexual acts such as kissing are right.

Faith & Professional Perspectives

Wrong use of the social media networks is strongly attested in the book of First Corinthians chapter 7 verse thirty-one. This verse gives a precaution on individuals who use worldly inventions to be cautious not be deeply enrooted in them (Philip, 2018). The verse reflects and gives a reflection of what is currently happening with the Christian youths of the present day. It is vivid that satellites, use of mobile phones and the internet are as addictive just as drugs are to the youths. The Christian teenagers are therefore warned to be careful with their engagements with such platforms. Excessive usage of technology prevents them from practising faith building ways of living. Excessive use of mobile phones, for instance, will eat into the time meant for morning devotions and prayers. This is to say that excessive use of technology negatively impacts on constructive Christian lifestyles such as reaching out, devotions and fellowship.

Christian teenagers should acknowledge and come to terms with the fact that the moment their love for the social media supersedes their devotion towards God, they are simply idolizing technology (Philip, 2018). They should be cautious with what engrosses their zeal since if it is not their creator, and then they will be treading on the wrong paths.

Owing to the fact that there is a strong correlation between the use of technology by the adolescents and social interaction with their parents, the guardians are called upon to gain a deeper understanding and knowledge about social media and the possible ways that their teenagers are using it (L Hur, & Gupta, 2013). They are also supposed to familiarize themselves with the possible risks so that they can be in a position to help them through as they utilize the technologies. When parents engage their teens in discussions, it reduces the chances of the; latter developing dangerous online behaviours. It is important that there exists a strong interaction between the adolescents and their parents so as to cultivate positive decisions making skills and prevent them from experiencing emotional distress, violence and suicidal thoughts (L Hur, & Gupta, 2013).

Preachers and Christians as a fraternity should realize and articulate the same to the youths who are largely teenagers that what they learn from the social media should not be used as the basis for arriving at decisions. They should not allow such platforms to model the lives they are living (L Hur, & Gupta, 2013).

Healthcare personnel are supposed to give guidance on healthy usage of technology, for instance, the social media ad intern advice the parents accordingly (L Hur, & Gupta, 2013). The physicians can give their opinion concerning social networking sites which have the potential of reducing sexual online references by the adolescents who are at a higher risk. owing to the fact that use of technology has a role to play in the mental health, obesity and sleep hygiene of their patients, they are recommended to seek its involvement in the complains raised by their patients (L Hur, & Gupta, 2013).

Resources Recommended

Using social media to engage adolescents and young adults with their health by Charlene A. Wong, Raina M. Merchant, and Megan A. Moreno retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4433153/

The article explores the various possibilities that exist within the healthcare fraternity to help young adults and adolescent who are impacted upon by use of social media. This source also acknowledges the challenges that exist in trying to measure the possible effects social media has on the health of individuals. The possible ways that teenagers can use social media to their advantage is seeking medical help such as arranging routine visits; disseminating relevant data prior to the visits are also explained in detail. On the other hand, the practitioners can also use social media to monitor the progress of their patients between the office visits.

Parent Involvement, Technology, and Media: Now What? By Eva N. Patrikakou retrieved from https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1123967.pdf

This resource explains the ways that technology has affected the relationship between the parents and their children. It also goes further to explain the principles that parents should engage to boost their relationship with their children who are living in a world dominated by technology and media. The principles also shade light on how the guardians can get themselves with the learning process and the lives of those they care for. The schools can also make use of technology to increase parental involvement in the education of their children. This can be done through school websites and eve monitor student's performance through the grade books made available on the online platform.

Behavioural Health services accessed through http://www.bhs-inc.org/

This resource is a healthcare organization that seeks to help offer help on issues concerning mental health, substance abuse, and rehabilitation from the use of drugs among other key areas of youth development.

Resilience teen mental health treatment accessed via https://centerfordiscovery.com/resilience-southern-california-mental-health-treatment/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMItuuutuip3QIVwSnTCh3GiwfEEAAYASAAEgItJfD_BwE

The article offers help on the treatment of depressions, anxiety and s...