Worried about your child's gadget use? Here are the advantages and disadvantages

Bharti Adhikari 4 Mins Read

Bharti Adhikari

As a parent, it is important to manage your child's exposure to gadgets. Let's look at some advantages and disadvantages of electronic gadgets for your child

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Worried about your child's gadget use? Here are the advantages and disadvantages

Today, technology has become an inseparable part of a child's daily life and it's not surprising to see even a four-year-old unlock mobile phones, operate apps, play games, and hit the right links on touch screen gadgets.

For children, these gadgets promote an enhanced learning experience, help them enhance their skills, and allow them to explore their topics of interest.

As parents, it is important to make yourself aware of the advantages and disadvantages of electronic gadgets, and ways to manage gadget use to benefit your child's lifestyle.

Advantages of electronic gadgets

Electronic devices may help to enhance speaking, listening, and creative skills.
Toddlers and preschoolers learn by listening to music or watching programs on handheld gadgets or television. The visual representation helps to stimulate their senses.
Playing competitive video games on electronic devices helps improve hand-eye coordination.
Students are able to understand concepts better by using learning apps without any assistance.

Disadvantages of electronic gadgets

Young children may refuse to cooperate unless allowed to play with their gadgets.
Excess use of electronic gadgets can lead to children spending less time outdoors and limiting their social interaction.
It may lead to poor concentration in studies and lack of interest in day-to-day activities.
Excessive gadgets use can lead to poor health, a sedentary lifestyle, and bad eating habits.
Playing video games of a violent nature can have a negative effect on your child's behavior.

Importance of electronic devices

Electronic gadgets are beneficial in many ways to students. Here are some examples of how children and students use them to benefit in different ways.

Even as you read about the pros and cons of gadget use for kids, why not check out these suggestions that can help you keep them engaged with gadgets and aid in your child's learning?

E notepad for kid
Educational toys
Games for kids

Communication: Email, chats, and group discussions all are made possible with gadgets like tablets, smartphones, and computers connected via the Internet. Students are increasingly sharing tasks and information, making reports, and taking part in group activities and projects via their electronic devices.
Learning: There are many learning apps and educational videos available online to make learning easier for children of all ages. There are various types of educational apps like language learning apps, home tuition apps, and study apps which students can access on their electronic gadgets.
Research: Electronic devices are a boon for students who do a lot of research online, access online journals, books, or magazines, and attend virtual classrooms as part of their academic activities.

How to manage your child's gadget exposure

Every gadget in your hand will fascinate your child, and yes, we understand perfectly how worried you may be as a parent when you hear about gadget addiction issues in children of a very young age. Also, there are online safety concerns.

So, what do you do, as a parent?

Be involved

To ensure your child reaps the right benefits, you need to get involved. You should bear in mind that parental monitoring and intervention are essential when it comes to content. Choose TV programs, apps, software, and gadgets only after researching. You can even consult other parents. Look for content that fosters your child's creativity, and social and academic skills without any exposure to violence and negativity.

Embrace the trend

Allowing your child to engage in electronic media may throw up some challenges for you. You will often find yourself wondering whether to appreciate its academic benefits or worry over online safety issues. Your anxiety may end up imposing a ban on such media. The best thing to do is make electronic media work for your family in ways that will help your child hone her skills, improve her performance in academics, and grooming her social behavior.

Choose wisely

The electronic media market for children is no more limited to television, educational DVDs, and computer games. What gadget you choose for your child will decide what he derives out of them. Most importantly, sit, watch, play, and discuss along with your child to make sure he is safe online.

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