Negative Effects of Internet Usage on Child Development

We have discussed the many types of Internet addiction and several addictive social networking sites, but can the Internet actually negatively effect child development? According to Verdick.org, the answer is yes. Recent studies show that teenagers are much more likely to access the internet for gaming, music downloading, and social networking than their parents. Children, even younger are accessing the Internet in prime physical, mental, and social development ages, and psychologists are becoming concerned about the effects it may have on developing bodies and minds. 

The Impact on Physical Development 
Hands on experiences, crucial to the development of cause and effect relationships and conversation are not present on the internet. The more a child experiences virtual interaction, rather than hands on, real life experiences, the less the child is going to develop these physical skills. Young children benefit from receiving small bits of information, and sorting through the information in a sequential manner. The internet provides vast amounts of information and overloads the mind with too much information at once, not allowing the young mind to process sequentially, and causing fatigue and confusion. 

The Impact on Cognitive Development
Information found on the internet is uncontrolled, and not only is it sometimes lawless, but there is also the risk of it's reliability. Children are unable to test reality in the virtual world, and are therefore unable to distinguish between what is and is not real. Children over using the internet have become accustomed to "text language" which is negatively effecting their formal writing in school. Also, Plagiarism has become increasingly common among internet using school-aged children and teens.

The Impact on Social Development 
Although the internet is an important tool for everyone, and has caused the advancement of just about everything we do in life, the overuse and abuse of the internet can distract from social activities such as homework, chores, and real life relationships with friends and family. Not only can it serve as a distraction, but also can be a very negative influence on social behavior. Pornography, hate messages, profanity, and much more undesirable content is readily available on the Internet, and has become popular among children and teens. Monitoring is strongly advised when allowing young children to access the internet. 

The internet is a positive technology in many ways, and has helped to improve the way we live and learn. These negative effects are only a concern in overusage situations, and can be avoided with regulation, and close monitoring. 

Ashley Rulick
11/18/12
Source: Verdick.org
image courtesy: iamemme.blogspot.com