Technology has allowed for drastic improvements in the modern world. It has added in medical treatment, communication, education and much more, but it is to further develop already-formed minds, not to teach young children.

While technology has seemingly endless benefits, there are some things that technology just cannot replace.

A common and current issue is that many people are not equipped to properly communicate interpersonally. The internet has become so prevalent that many people will not even talk on the phone and will instead prefer to text all the time. It is a fine line, as while technology aids conversation in terms of quick and efficient responses, as well as aiding with communicating to those far away like in different countries, it can also have an extremely negative and harmful effect on communication.

Young children, especially those ages 8 to 11, are still developing their communication skills. They are in elementary school, just getting ready for middle school. At this age, children are still working on their interpersonal communication skills. They are interacting with others, learning social cues and behavior. As great and useful as technology is, it cannot effectively replicate human behavior or emotion. 

Children need the stimulus of playing with people their own age, going outdoors and exercising, which is good for both their emotional and physical health. This is not to say that technology is not useful at times. There is nothing wrong with allowing your child an hour or two of educational TV or letting the babysitter play Barney again. However, an issue arises when people feel that technology has advanced so far that it can replace human interaction.

If we allow our children to be raised by a computer screen, they will be devoid of multiple interpersonal and communication skills that are necessary as a professional and, more importantly, as a human being.

The Lancet’s Childhood and Adolescent Health section conducted a study that found children who use smartphones and other devices in their free time for fewer than two hours a day performed better on cognitive tests assessing their thinking, language and memory.

It is not just an opinion; science that shows that while technology can be useful, it is actually detrimental to become so dependent on it that we do not think or act for ourselves anymore.

Technology can be a great asset, but if one is not aware of how to use it responsibly and does not understand that it cannot replace basic human interaction, then it can be more harmful than good. Young children should not be subjected to an overabundance of technology simply because they are not developed enough or prepared for it. People need to walk before they can run, just like they need to learn basic communication skills and independence before they begin to utilize technological shortcuts for these things.

There is nothing wrong with allowing a short and measured amount of time for kids to watch educational videos or limit screen time, but when screens begin to replace human interaction, then there is an issue, and children will not develop or be equipped with the necessary skills to grow and pursue their dreams.

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