Last week we started examining the affect technology has on kids who overuse, or use it inappropriately.
We looked how the use of, or overuse of technology ultimately eliminated a child’s way to think critically or use their imagination.
In an attempt to correct those negatives, edudemic.com writer, Pamela Deloatch provided two ways parents could help in eliminating the social disconnect that occurs to their children when they use technology.
Deloatch suggested someone more mature should monitor the use of technology for the child and also teach the child how to use it more responsibly.
This week, we are going to examine how technology has altered the way kids understand emotions.
In a 2014 study by the University of California, Los Angeles, two group of sixth graders were tested over a five day period on how well they picked up on emotions and nonverbal cues from 50 pictures of faces displaying random emotions.
One group of kids went the five day period without using technology, while the other group of kids went the period using their electronic devices.
In the conclusion of the study, it was determined that the group that went five days without technology picked up on emotions and nonverbal cues from the photos better than those that had access to technology during the entirety of the testing period.
What does the study signify?
The UCLA study showed that though technology has its benefits with its speed and convenience, it takes away people’s ability to develop social skills and emotional reactions.
In the article about the study on npr.org by Juana Summers, UCLA psychology professor, Patricia Greenfield said, if the study with the students was expanded past the five day period more negatives would come as a result.
“It might mean they would lose those skills [face-to-face communication skills] if they weren’t maintaining continual face-to-face interaction,” Greenfield said.
In order to solve such negative effects for the overuse of technology, and to get the children’s ability to empathize back in order, Greenfield added parents and kids should work together to determine a reasonable amount of time to use technology.
Source: Kids And Screen Time: What Does The Research Say?