The Influence of Modern Technology on Child Development

Abstract

The intellectual abilities of children do not depend on the number of nerve cells in the cortex, but on the number of nerve synapses. In the preschool period, the speed and number of nerve connections between neurons is incomparably higer than after the seventh year of life. The stimulating environment contributes to the development of a large number of neural pathways, resulting in a rich neural network, and this s the basis for reaching innate potentials.

It is an increasingly common opinion of educators that today’s generations of children show weaker abilities in many aspects of development compared to previous generations. Research shows that 50% of preschool children have difficulties in the field of fine motor skills, some of the disorders of speech and language development, slowed accommodation of the eye, difficulties in the field of large motor skills.

The modern way of life leads to the accelerated introduction of technology such as computers, tablets, mobile phones into the everyday life of an individual. The consequence of such changes is the scientifically confirmed fact that a large number of children spend 4 to 8 hours a day in front of the screen. Numerous studies that deal with the influence of modern technology, confirm the negative effect on the physical and mental development of children. Frequent and long-term exposure of children to modern technology leads to changes in brain development, hormonal system, obesity, sleep and attention disorders, poor speech and language development, psychological disorders (depression, anxiety), lack of empathy, patience, etc.