Gadget use has been increasing manifold in the past few years. In the early years of the tech revolution, usage was restricted to adults. But with time, it has penetrated the student community.
A simple look around and we find that students carry gadgets such as smartphones or tablets with them. Hence, the student community is increasingly active on social media, especially platforms like Instagram or Snapchat. They indeed hold great potential for the purpose of learning, research. However, spending more than the set time comes with its own consequences.
It takes away a lot of productive time that could be an investment in academics or healthy activities such as learning an art or sport, reading good books, engaging in extracurricular activities and more. Also, it may make them vulnerable to online harassment or health issues. Excess gadget use makes them highly restless and active.
The impact of excess gadget usage on students
- They play less and sit looking at the screens. Hence, they end up gaining weight.
- They have a hard time concentrating in school due to a lack of energy.
- More likely to display aggressive behaviour.
- They become distracted when you or someone else keeps on the TV, which affects their development negatively.
- It impacts language development due to less parent-child interaction.
- Need for instant gratification due to the cues they pick up from movies or games.
- The blue light emitted from screens affects the production of the sleep hormone, melatonin. Thus, it affects their sleep cycle.
What should be done to reduce students’ gadget usage?
Reduce usage time: Set time limits! The ideal would be 30 mins in a day and maybe more according to the age group.
Involvement in other activities: Involve your child in activities that take them off the screen. This could be an offline game, reading books, etc.
Tech-free time: Designate certain areas in your house as tech-free zones where there won’t be any use of gadgets. These would be areas such as bedrooms and dining hall during mealtimes.
Give your time: Spend personal time with your children by talking to them about their activities, interests, reading to them, helping them with their studies or projects and even taking them on walks.
Tuck away gadgets: Put away gadgets in places where they aren’t visible to children until playtime. This reduces the temptation.
Monitor usage: Keep a tab on your child’s internet usage to protect them from exposure to violence, harmful content. Parallelly, educate them about values and safe usage.
Gadgets, not substitutes: Don’t use your gadgets to keep your children from disturbing you during important work. It may become an addiction. Listen to them to know what they really want.
Praise positive efforts: Make sure you commend any small effort by your child to prioritise offline activities over gadget usage.
Gadgets are very helpful if used the right way. Else, they can have a negative impact on your child as they grow up. Make sure they use it wisely!
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