EVERYTHING
FOR YOUR FAMILY
Kids' Health
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How do parents decide what is good for their children? How do they decide how much of something is too much? When parents presume what is good and not so good for their children, it may be based upon some facts and presumption. Therefore, it is important to question what you think is true. Technology, including television, computers and electronic devices, has changed the way that we communicate, learn and complete our work. A parent only needs to look around and see some of the influences of technology on daily life. Concerns about the Internet, violence on television and a sedentary life are in all parents' minds. Therefore, parents need to ask the difficult questions looking for real evidence that support their decisions. We presume that technology is good for our children. However, do our children need to be constrained by computer logic at such a young age when imagination and free thinking are at its prime? CD and sound technology can be very exciting when listening to music. Putting on a set of headphones can transport you to a concert hall in moments. I have often tried to talk to my son when we are in the car, only to find he is in his own world, isolated from any human conversation. The use of headphones has placed a nearly impermeable barrier to human contact and conversation. Then I realized that I was the parent and put a limit on headphone use and offered to put his CD in the car player for us all to "enjoy." It gave me the opportunity to listen to the music he was choosing as well as to gain insight into why he liked it. A little conversation went a long way! Some of the pitfalls to excessive use and emphasis on technology are physical - wrist and neck injuries, eyestrain and obesity to the extent that TV, computers and video games replace physical activity. Emotional and social hazards include social isolation, weakened interaction with teachers and parents and social and advertising exploitation. Less obvious and not as well understood are the intellectual hazards such as stunted imagination, plagiarism and distraction from meaning (emphasis on form over content: Does it look good?) A historical perspective may help. Opponents of radio feared that it would undermine activities such as reading and going to church and expressed concern over advertising and poor program quality. Opponents of television voiced concerns about how it might hurt radio, conversation, reading and the patterns of family living and result in the demise of the American family. Initial concerns about new technology tend to center around the time spent by children in these new activities followed by the social impact, knowledge and learning. Society has relied on parents as the primary gatekeepers for safeguarding children from the media's potential harmful effects. Computers and related technology bring new interactivity to the children. This can greatly enrich learning as well as increased risk of harm. Therefore, be a parent. Monitor how much time your child spends with technology. This includes television, computers, video games and CD players. Let them have a choice in the type of media and you check the time and content. Don't let technology become a babysitter. Interact with your child and choose different activities. Watch for signs of "media overload" such as weight gain, poor grades, lack of physical activity and decreased variety of activities. Offer creative opportunities for your child to experience the world around them and spend time with them. Person to person interaction remains the cornerstone of healthy growth and development. Let technology be part of that, not replace it. Dr. Clyde Wesp is a pediatrician with Southern Orange County Pediatric Associates with offices in Lake Forest, Laguna Hills and Rancho Santa Margarita and is affiliated with Saddleback Memorial Medical Center, Mission Hospital and Children's Hospital of Orange County. He is a member of the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Memorial Care Physician Society. |
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