Children's addiction to gadgets is affecting their development.
While smart phones and access to high-speed Internet have brought comfort for elders by making their jobs easier, children’s love for tablets, smart phones and other digital gadgets is hindering their social and emotional development, creating concerns among parents.
This growing global phenomenon is also hitting kids of Qatar hard, distracting them from hands-on activities and studies.
One of the major concerns of parents about this obsession is the health of their children. Parents say that this passion for electronic devices has limited the physical activity of their children as they have stopped going outdoors to play.
“My eight-year-old son has lost interest in outdoor games. Even after my repeated insistence, he refuses to go out because he is happy with his tablet computer,” said Sahir, an Indian expatriate.
The onset of smart phones and tablet computers has added to the challenges of parenting. “I remember when we were kids; our parents would be angry with us for coming late from outside. Their main complaint was why spent so much time playing outside. But, now the situation has become exactly opposite as parents are angry with their children for not going out,’ said Prabo, a Sri Lankan expatriate.
He added: “Everybody knows that children need to be physically active when they are growing. Our immunity used to be very strong and we did not fall sick after eating and drinking outside. I think one of the crucial factors that strengthened our immunity was being physically active. Today’s kids do not have such immunity and I think staying home and playing video games on tablets and play stations is one of the main reasons,” he added.
Like parents, teachers too complain about over-indulgence of children in digital devices claiming "it badly affects their studies".
“It changes their sleep patterns too and consequently they lose focus on classroom learning the next morning,” said Abu Talha.
Riyaz Bakali, Director, TNG School, said that technologies would continue evolving and nothing could stop the process ‘but there is a need to teach children how to use technology appropriately and moderately’.
“No doubt, children’s love for tablets and smart phones is increasing by the day but our job is to direct them how to use them in a right and appropriate manner,” Bakali said, adding that there were many applications available for parents to keep a check on children’s online activities. He said that smart phones and other digital gadgets were not allowed in schools ‘but at homes it becomes parents’ responsibility to have a vigilant eye’.
Bakali also holds parents responsible for children’s addiction to digital gadgets.
“A child learns from their parents. When they will always observe their parents and elders buried in their smart phones, they will follow that habit.”
Like educationists, medical experts too have serious reservations over addictive use of digital gadgets by children.
Some parents say that there is no alternative. “Most people live in tiny apartments, therefore kids take to playing video games on tablets or watching TV,” said Muhammad.
