I love technology. I wouldn’t have a job if I didn’t have a computer and internet service. I wouldn’t be able to do my job while traveling if I didn’t have a cell phone, access to wi-fi, and a laptop or tablet. I also wouldn’t get regular texts from my teenagers letting me know where they are, who they’re with, and what they’re doing. And 14 hours in a car with 4 kids and no Kindles, iPods, or a DVD player? That’s a nightmare I hope to never live through!
For all these reasons, I’m an unlikely advocate for taking a break from technology. The unfortunate reality is that too much technology has several negative effects on our children and our family life.
Negative Effects of Technology on Children
Obesity – Childhood obesity has doubled in children aged 6-11 and tripled in adolescents aged 12-19 over the past 30 years. More than one third of children and adolescents are overweight or obese. This puts them at an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and bone and joint problems. The shift from outdoor activities such as riding bikes and playing sports to indoor activities like playing video games and watching television has played a major role in the childhood obesity trend. At the very least, parents should require kids to turn off the technology for at least one hour each day to play outside or go for a walk, the minimum amount of physical activity prescribed by the CDC for children and adolescents.
Poor Academic Performance – Too much screen time (e.g. watching TV, playing video games, and surfing the internet) causes kids to perform poorly in school since it deteriorates their ability to focus. In addition, when kids aren’t forced to turn off the tech, they choose screen time over reading and writing, thereby diminishing those skills over time.
Violence – According to a survey conducted by A.C. Neilson Company, children will witness 8,000 murders (courtesy of TV and video games) by the time they finish elementary school. The amount of time spent watching television during adolescence has been shown to increase antisocial behavior such as aggression, assault, and robbery.
Impaired Face-to-Face Social Skills – The more time children spend on electronic devices, the less time they spend interacting face-to-face with others. They don’t learn to read non-verbal cues like tone and body language.
Negative Effects of Technology on Families
Fractured Relationships – The A.C. Nielson Company survey revealed that on average, parents spend less than four minutes PER WEEK in meaningful conversations with their children. How can parents possibly convey their values, expectations, and beliefs to their kids in 30 seconds a day? Likewise, they can’t possibly have a clear insight into what their children are thinking, wondering, and worrying about when everyone is spending more time watching TV, checking e-mails, texting, and playing games than talking to one another.
No Down Time – Now that almost everyone has a cell phone and an e-mail address, few of us ever get to enjoy a separation between our roles. You get texts from family members during a work meeting or calls from the office while you’re on vacation. The technological advances that have allowed us to communicate more efficiently have almost become a burden since it’s hard to force yourself to ignore text messages, phone calls, e-mails, etc. By unplugging for just one hour each day, you can make your family your priority and give yourself a mental break from the never-ending flow of information.
Final Thoughts
I’m not saying you should cancel your cable and cell phone subscription or donate all of your computers and video games. I do hope that I’ve helped you identify some of the dangers of relying too much on technology for your family’s main source of entertainment and social interaction. If you can manage to unplug from technology for just one hour a day, you can gain huge benefits to your family’s health and happiness.
If you’d like more information on why you should turn off technology or want some tips on how to do it, check out Tech Timeout, an initiative to encourage families to take a daily break from technology.
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Lisa C says
Definitely need to turn on the electronics more in my house. I’ve been making more of an effort to still play board games with the boys even thought they are all teens..still fun trying to kick there butt in a good game of Star Wars Monopoly or Life or even PayDay. And there is a new game launching Monday that I want to try..its called Phraze-It! Read about it here: http://lisas2900.blogspot.com/2013/08/phraze-it-launching-end-of-this-month.html#.UhfBahtQFe8
Great post, have a great weekend
Jenn says
Great post! We try to limit our kids every day and most of the time they only to play with their iPads when they have done something good. Its a nice reward and they know its a treat!
April McGregor says
My family is a technology fan. But we make sure to have our kids watch only child friendly shows, limit gadget time and of course more playtime or study time.
Healy Harpster says
I could not lived without technology too! Every family and every individual should know the limit of using their technology… Families are precious and cannot be replace while technology can be replace at anytime.
Paula -Growing Up Bilingual says
So true! I use a lot of technology but limit it when it’s family time. My kids don’t have tablets or any hand held device. TV is off all week expect for family movie night once per week and right now even their computer broke down. It’s been awesome. They play together all day long which is wonderful for my daughter who has autism. My daughter reads and my little guy loves to do crafts and draw and all of this was not happening when they could watch TV. Turning off the TV is the best thing I could have done. They will catch up to technology but if they where plopped in front of a screen 2 hrs per day (or more) during their childhood they would never be able to get that time back.
Nova says
I guess the balance of using technology is what we should apply the most, because it is endangering our health if we don’t go outside walk or do something without technology evolves us.
Jennifer Williams says
I completely agree with this post. I too am a big fan of technology, that is what my degree is in. I however only allow myself to turn the computer on when my child is asleep. I only use my phone if I am taking photos of him to send to his dad.
Chubskulit Rose says
I did just that this afternoon. I went out in the backyard with my kids and we had fun!
patricia says
So very true and I agree with you. However we live in a technology world today and that is just how it is. I love my techno gadgets too.
Cyndie says
I make sure there is downtime each day for technology
Kenna Griffin says
I should first say that I support a limited media effects concept. Simply, I don’t agree with blaming media for things like violent behavior because there are many other factors involved. That being said, a critical factor in behavioral outcomes is involvement. Therefore, if we always are on our devices, we’re not being involved in each other’s lives. There is a time and place for technology. We’re pushing it far beyond those boundaries.
Coolchillmom says
You had me laughing hard with your last image
I agree with you with all you points
Life is about balance
Ondria says
I am seriously trying to get our entire famly to cut back on screen time- tv, computer, tablet- everything, and get outside, playing board games or just talking to each other. It’s sort of ridiculous that we’re sometimes all in the same room with the tv on, all with devices on laps or in hand. We’re on a tech-free vaca next week and I can’t wait!
AmandaJean says
I am a huge when it comes to shutting everything off and enjoying my day! It’s something I love doing with my son is just walking away and going to the park, no phone, nothing (well, Just my camera, but that doesn’t count). I love it because I am not so consumed by what is going on with everyone else and I get the chance to make memories for my son and myself!
Krista says
I can’t believe that I survived almost all of high school without a phone. I got my first one my senior year and it was the Nokie 5165 that only called people (and it was pay per minute!) and had “snake” as the game. Now I feel panicky if I forget my phone! We definitely need to work in more “black out” time with technology!
Corinne Schmitt says
LOL. I know Krista! Cell phones didn’t even exist when I was in high school (yes, I’m THAT old). Now my whole life is on my phone–my music, my calendar, my contacts. I do miss the good old days though when you could go out to eat with someone and actually talk to them the entire meal rather than trying to compete against their cell phone for attention.
Lisa @ 50 Things to Know says
Having a technology break is a great idea. Maybe one night can be a no technology night with a game night instead.
Lexie Lane says
How did we ever survive without technology, right? I remember the days when cell phones were so rare! Now I see even 4 year olds with them! Anyway, I love this post. It’s such a good reminder to appreciate other things in life.
reesa lewandowski says
I completely agree with this! Sometimes it is so nice to have a vacation from technology!
Rebel Sweetheart says
I couldn’t agree with you more. My son is only four, and although I find it impressive that he knows how to work his way around my phone and tablet, prying him away from these gadgets can be quite exasperating. o.O