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by Leigh Goessl

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Children are enamored with technology. Although perhaps it's not that they adore technology so much as it is the fact that they have never lived without it. Kids today would have a difficult time imaging life without items such as video games, Internet, cable, cell phones and iPods. Technology has had many effects on children, some good, some not so good, but in either case, society has to adapt to the fact that technology is going to continue to grow and be a staple in our lives.

In days past children spent their days running around the neighborhood, driving bicycles to the store for ice cream, and video games were played in the form of "cops and robbers" and other children's games out in the backyard. Today, the media has thrived on generating fear and people are constantly bombarded with the negatives in society. Technology has given extended news in a variety of mediums, with heightened exposure to negativity because it's available 24/7. Parents are fearful to let their children escape to the adventures of the outdoors alone and as an alternative have encouraged technical devices as a replacement for entertainment. Kids nowadays tend to occupy themselves with digital "toys".

Society is in a debate over problematic issues such as childhood obesity, addiction to gaming/Internet and how to protect our kids from Internet predators, all of which is blamed on technology. Additionally, some question if technology has caused a decline in moral judgment. For instance, how many parents sit around the dinner table and discuss the ethics of illegal downloads from the Internet? Traditionally we teach our kids not to shoplift, but theoretically, is illegally downloading movies and music much different? There is also speculation that technology causes laziness in children. I don't think it necessarily "causes" laziness, but it can give tendency to it for those children who haven't been taught any other way. Another effect I think is sometimes a loss of "reality" occurs when kids (and adults!) get too wrapped up in "virtual" life. All of these effects however, can be "fixed" with parental responsibility, intervention and guidance.

Despite the negatives, all of the effects from technology on children are not negative, in fact technology has unequivocally increased the quality of life in many ways. Technology offers children a sense of empowerment and provides kids with the tools needed to solve problems. Some argue that electronic devices "dumb" people down, but I don't think that occurs unless it acts as a constant replacement for problem solving. Technology, specifically the Internet, offers a vast amount of knowledge and children have access to absorb much of this information. Computer software, designed specifically for learning, can be a terrific tool to utilize in developmental learning and creativity. Video games offer ways for kids to collaborate and take turns. This is not to exclude motor skills and hand-eye coordination that is improved due to the movements needed to effectively navigate a mouse or play a video game.

The key is moderation. If parents allow their children to maximize and absorb the benefits of technology while minimizing their exposure to the down sides to technology it is a win-win scenario because kids receive the best of worlds. Parents can strategically use technology to enhance the learning experience generating positive effects. Technology is here to stay and we, as a society, need to guide our children towards the future because after all, whatever impact technology has on them now is what will shape society's forthcoming generations.

Learn more about this author, Leigh Goessl.

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