How children learn new attitudes and behaviors is explained by the Social Learning Theory developed by Bandura. According to this theory, learning is a person’s observation of another person
and it occurs when the behavior is modeled. At this point, the attitudes and behaviors that exist in the family environment are the basis of the children’s behaviors as well.
It has been stated in many studies that children who are exposed to technological stimuli too much are positively and negatively affected at every stage of their development. It has been a matter of curiosity how children become so addicted to screens by being damaged cognitively, socially and physiologically. For this reason, the latest research conducted is on how and where children learn screen use.
Studies have shown that screen use leads to many negative situations on both parents and children.
Changes in parental behavior: Technology addiction first changes parental attitudes and, accordingly, reflects on children’s behavior. As the desire of parents to constantly look at and check the phone increases to the maximum level, this situation increases the aggression of parents and reduces their interest and attention to the child. The mother/father, whose aggression has increased, is unable to maintain positive communication with the child and reduces the time allocated to the child.
Relationships between parents: Although the use of technology makes our lives easier Decently, it also negatively affects relationships when it is overdone. The main reason for this is that parents often spend time with technological devices such as televisions or computers during the hours when they should devote time to each other. Over time, this condition becomes habitual and turns into a routine, reducing not only their interest in themselves, but also their endurance towards their children.
From a distance, it would not be wrong to say that one of the negative parental attitudes is screen use. Imagine a parent who is physically next to you, but emotionally so far away!
And what is the reason for this?
Experts give the reason for this to the fact that the previous generation lived connected to television, taking their parents as an example. Parents who see a routine day as going to work in the morning, returning home in the evening and spending time in front of a screen also say that their children are currently addicted to the Internet and tablets.
The problems that arise with children are as follows.
Decrease in social skills: The increase in multimedia tools, which are easily available in every home today, reduces children’s social skills to a minimum. With the increase of these tools, reluctance to spend time with peer groups, the presence of technological tools at the center of their lives and the loss of importance of alternative options are the main problems that exist.
Decrease in academic achievement: An increase in screen time at home will also lead to incompatibility in the school environment and, accordingly, academic failure. The fact that home studies are not performed regularly, information is not consolidated, and perception slows down along with screen use makes it likely that difficulties will occur in the school environment.
Physiological disorders: With the increase in screen addiction, children are introduced to sedentary life. This is followed by posture disorders and eating disorders. Children who grow up in front of the screen without being aware of what they are eating are the best example of this. Experiencing disruptions in healthy growth processes also causes self-confidence problems in the future.
Language development: Technology, like everyone else, takes up parents’ time and distracts them a lot. At this stage, the constantly distracted mother / father is also unable to give the necessary time and attention to his children. One of the negative consequences of this situation is that children’s language development is damaged. It should be remembered that the communication between the screen and the child is one-way Decoupling. At this point, the child is in a passive role. While the incoming auditory stimuli are in an active state, the developing expressive language is in a passive state. It has been stated by research that having more interaction with children, especially between the ages of 0-2, and sending stimuli to the child with an effective tone of voice will benefit later age groups Decently.
So what can parents do?
Don’t forget to take time for yourself! Give yourself time to get away from the pace of trying to catch up with both home and work and the child. First of all, start by defining an area in your home where you will put your phones. After that, share the rest of your time with your loved ones.
Find alternative activities for yourself and your child! With trips, social events or games, you can ensure that both you and your child get away from the screen as much as possible and spend time with more enjoyable activities.
Stop raising perfect children! You can start by knowing that not every piece of information you read on the Internet is accurate, being aware that accurate information does not lead everyone to the same conclusion, and giving up applying them to your child. Remember that you and your child are unique and different from everyone else.
MOD College
PDR Unit
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