Students And Digital Devices, When Should Parents Draw The Line?

A phone can be a convenient tool for children to use, for scheduling reminders, organising their day-to-day activities and being in touch with friends and family. With the internet and various apps at their fingertips, children have access to a wealth of information that can help with their studies or just satisfy their curiosity.

Since the Covid pandemic, institutions have gone online. Practices that were new then, today have become a norm. Schools and colleges have student apps which send notifications, class groups, study groups on chat apps have become common. In many cases, students are required to upload their assignments online. Many phones come equipped with educational apps, games, and resources that can help children learn new things and develop important skills.

Of course, there are downsides to consider, such as overuse or addiction, exposure to inappropriate content, and decreased face-to-face communication. So, to avoid this, it is important to set clear rules and guidelines for mobile, tab, ipad usage, and at the same time monitor the child's behaviour. Excessive phone usage has been linked to issues such as decreased attention span, decreased face-to-face communication skills, and potential addiction.

Some experts believe that children need to develop social skills and emotional intelligence through in-person interactions and activities, rather than relying on technology for communication. Children may spend too much time on their phones, neglecting activities such as physical exercise or playing with friends, studying or pursuing a hobby, or spending time with family and friends. The internet can be a source of inappropriate or harmful information, and children may be at risk of exposure to such content or bullying without proper guidance and monitoring.

It's important to weigh the potential benefits and drawbacks before making a decision about whether or not to give a phone to a child and to set clear rules and guidelines for phone usage if a decision is made to provide one.

Limit The Overuse

• Considering the age: Consider the child's age and developmental stage when deciding what kind of content and activities are appropriate for them to engage in on their phone.

• Time matters: Set clear guidelines for how much time a child is allowed to spend on their phone each day, and enforce these limits to help prevent overuse.

• Content also matters: Monitor the apps, games, and websites that your child is accessing to ensure that they are age-appropriate and do not contain harmful or inappropriate content.

• Balance is the law of nature: Encourage your child to engage in a variety of activities, including physical exercise, spending time with family and friends, and pursuing hobbies and interests, in addition to using their phone.

• Sleep is important: Encourage good sleep habits by limiting phone usage to an hour or two before bedtime, and by keeping phones out of the bedroom overnight.

Why Should Parents Restrict?

• Health concerns: Excessive phone usage has been linked to issues such as decreased attention span, decreased face-to-face communication skills, and potential addiction. It has also been linked to physical health concerns as well like obesity and decreased movement of neck muscles. Several researchers have found that humans are developing protrusions of the bone below the neck due to constantly looking down.

• Overuse: Children may spend too much time on their phones, neglecting other important activities such as physical exercise, studying, or spending time with family and friends.

• Exposure to inappropriate content: The internet can be a source of inappropriate or harmful information, and children may be at risk of exposure to such content without proper guidance and monitoring because it affects, physical, emotional, mental, social, and academic aspects of the child... children are more impressionable and hence need guidance to understand the pros and cons.

Whether or not children should use phones is a complex and subjective question, and ultimately depends on individual parenting methods. Consider the child's age and developmental stage when deciding whether or not they should use a phone. Younger children may not yet have the maturity or skills to use a phone safely and responsibly, while older children may benefit from the increased independence and connectivity that a phone provides.

Also, consider the child's specific needs, such as their level of independence, the need for safety and communication, and the need for educational resources. It's important for parents to be involved in their child's phone usage, setting clear rules and guidelines, monitoring their activities, and providing guidance and support.

Encouraging a balanced life that includes both technology and real-life experiences is important for children's overall well-being and development.

Ultimately, the decision about whether or not a child should use a phone will depend on a variety of factors and should be made with the child's best interests in mind. If a decision is made to provide a phone, it's important to set clear rules and guidelines for usage and to monitor and regulate usage to ensure that it's safe and appropriate.