Today’s Kids Are Inundated With Tech. When Does it Help — and Hurt?
Sep 5, 2023
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This podcast explores the effects of technology on children, discussing topics such as early childhood development, 'techno-ference' in parent-child interactions, mindful screen use, challenges in middle childhood, legislation and accountability for tech companies, and controlling tech platforms and tools.
Technology experiences for young children should foster healthy attachment and support the development of executive functions.
Technology experiences for middle childhood and adolescence should prioritize self-direction and consider the influence of peers and community support.
Deep dives
Shifting Conversation around Tech and Childhood Development
The COVID-19 pandemic has shifted the conversation around technology and childhood development. Rather than debating whether tech is good or bad for kids, people are now asking when and how it can be beneficial. The pandemic has highlighted the essential role of technology in our lives, forcing us to consider its impact at each stage of a child's growth. Katie Davis, a professor at the University of Washington, advocates for nuanced discussions and provides a framework in her book to match technology with a child's development.
Understanding Dark Patterns and Design Abuses
Katie Davis explains the concept of dark patterns and design abuses used by tech companies to keep users engaged on their platforms. Examples include autoplay features and virtual rewards that appeal to our need for immediate gratification. She highlights the importance of recognizing these techniques and their impact on well-being. As a society, we are becoming more savvy about these tricks, allowing for broader discussions on responsible tech use.
Early Childhood and Technology
For young children, technology experiences should foster healthy attachment to primary caregivers and support the development of executive functions. While some technology can engage and calm young children, excessively relying on it to regulate their attention and behavior may hinder their ability to develop self-regulation skills. Open-ended apps that allow children to direct and control their engagement with technology, like a painting app, can be beneficial for their development.
Middle Childhood and Beyond: Navigating Peer Influence and Community Support
Middle childhood and adolescence bring challenges related to peer influence and community support. Technology experiences at this stage should prioritize self-direction, allowing children to be in control of their engagement. The context of technology use, including the influence of peers, must be considered. Positive community support can be fostered through technology interactions that align with a child's interests, while negative interactions, such as bullying, can negatively impact development. Open conversations among parents, educators, and friends, both online and offline, play a crucial role in framing and understanding these experiences.
The pandemic has sparked more-nuanced conversations about kids and tech, getting away from simple questions of how much screen time to allow. Now, one researcher argues, it’s time to provide better guidance on how to match tech to what children need, and can reasonably handle, at each stage of their development.
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