We are in the 21st century, where technology has taken over almost every aspect of life. Decades ago, humans struggled to perform simple tasks, using crude tools and methods. However, with the advent of technological tools, life has been easier for humans. Gone are the days when humans traveled on foot, now there are various means of transportation; whether it is a car, train, or plane, you are free to go for whichever suits your budget and standard of living. There is no doubt that technology has improved human life. It has taken our lives from point zero that it was to a whole different level. Interestingly, this same technology is like a double-edged sword; while it has advantages, it also has disadvantages, especially when it comes to a child’s life and family lifestyle.
As I mentioned earlier, technological gadgets have made human life much easier. An example is cell phones. Gone are those days when humans had to communicate with technological smoke signals, trained birds, and other traditional methods. Gone are the days when humans had to travel long distances to libraries to read books or access materials. Today, these things can be done with just a few clicks on your cellphone. Rather than going to libraries, there are different websites online where people can read books. Also, social media platforms have made it quick and easy for people to communicate with friends and families, despite the distance. However, over the years, it seems cell phones have proven to have more disadvantages than advantages, which is why it is important to be mindful of when to allow a child to use a cell phone and when not to. For today’s Hive Learner topic, the community asks us what age a child should be allowed to own a smartphone and have social media accounts.
Times have changed. Nowadays, even kids in elementary schools have cell phones and social media accounts. Growing up, throughout my elementary school days, I never owned a cellphone. At that time, I was focused on doing what kids my age did; playing video games, watching anime and cartoons, listening to evening stories told by parents and older siblings, and the like. We were so busy with these things that having a cell phone didn’t even cross our minds. I got my first ever phone when I got to senior high school. My older brother got a new phone and passed the old one down to me. I started using cell phones at a very normal age, and what’s more interesting is that technology wasn’t as advanced as it is now.
Today, kids are introduced to cell phones at a very early age, and not only does this make them academically lazy, but it also exposes them to negative things that they shouldn’t be exposed to. Using AI as a case study; the advent of AI tools has made students academically lazy. What’s the point of reading a book when you can just get the answers using AI? What’s the point of writing an assignment when you can just use an AI, and then copy and paste? That is how worse things have become.
It doesn’t stop there. Kids who are given cellphones at a very early stage, start exploring every nook and cranny of the internet, and the internet is not a safe space! Recently, I read a short story that explores the effects of pornographic content on a kid’s mental health. Most times, parents are not always watching their kids and when they are not under watchful eyes, they start to do and undo and this is why it is important to find balance.
In my opinion, there's nothing wrong with giving a child a cell phone at a very early stage, let's say elementary school. However, at this stage, they should be restricted from the internet. They should only be allowed to watch cartoons and play games. At this stage, their brains are not yet well developed, and having access to the internet, especially social media platforms would only complicate things.
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