The Adverse Impact of Smartphones on Children

Introduction

Smartphones are distractive and indeed addictive. When children are allowed to get access to the phones, many of them engage in sexting, get exposed to sexual predators and cyberbullying. Moreover, young people are not emotionally developed to handle the pressure that comes with the social media. Development of narcissism behavior is another damaging behavior which results when children use smartphones and access social media. Indeed, the wait until the 8th-grade campaign is fundamental as it informs parents the impact of giving children smartphones. Arguably, the advent of technology marked a turning point in the society, and the exposure to smartphones has triggered addiction. As such, smartphones have significantly reshaped the lives of children and the impact proves to be detrimental to their lives.

The Adverse Impacts of Smartphone Use

The adverse impacts associated with the use of smartphones has caught the attention of many parents. Krista Boan, an elementary mother, began the “Wait a Bit Kansas City” and tells parents to delay giving their children smartphones and her initiative relates to the “Wait Until 8th” movement. The objective is to reduce the pressure that the children face when using smartphones. Montgomery argues that when elementary children are given phones, they face pressure from the social media. Montgomery warns that smartphones are changing the lives of children and make them develop addiction. The fact the children no longer play outdoors, read books or even spend time with their families is solid evidence of how their lives are changing.

The Brain and Smartphone Addiction

According to the author comments that even Steve Jobs, a co-founder of Apple understood the effect of the smartphones and he prohibited his children from using them. Besides, Bill Gates knew the risks associated with the use of screens on the mind of a developing child. Montgomery goes ahead to point out that there is a relationship between the times a child spends on the phones and the brain patterns. “Years of online overstimulation acts on the brain the way cocaine acts on the brain” (Montgomery). The author reveals that a lot of dopamine is released and this is harmful to developing minds.

The Negative Behavioral Impacts

I agree that giving children smartphones is damaging to their lives. They get access to the internet and thus access the undesirable sites. Exposure to pornography and other inappropriate content becomes apparent. Montgomery’s article is informative, and everyone can confirm that smartphones are addictive. Studies show that the addiction that is produced by the use of smartphones cause similar effects related to drug, gambling, and alcohol addiction. I ascertain that the growing attachment to phones profoundly engrosses young people into a state of that raises a moral panic. The addiction has culminated into negative physical and behavioral impacts. As such, these adverse behavioral influences include the development of aggressive behavior and lack of interest in people and things around them.

The Negative Impact of Social Media

I also find validity in Montgomery’s argument that social media has a negative impact on children. Certainly, the networking sites have critically weakened the bonds of face-face interaction and made children lose virtual reality with themselves. The attention that is directed to the social media hinders interpersonal relationships. Social media has weakened the bonds of face-face interaction. Smartphones are destroying meaningful relationships in children by disconnecting them from the real world. Also, the using of social networks may expose children to cyberbullying. There is also the risk of fraud or theft through the social media. Agreeably, children waste a lot of time using the phones.

Counterarguments

Some people who argue that children should be given phones allude that these phones enable them to remain updated with the current affairs which are significant in their studies. Arguments claim that phones help children to tackle their homework assignments. Besides, some argue that parents are able to know the whereabouts of their children, especially when they are not at home. However, these arguments are highly refutable because smartphones have deteriorated the performance of many children in schools. Concentration to studying is dwindling, and many do not have time to read. Truly, smartphones do not add value to education but rather made children register low grades. The popularity of social networking sites has increased with smartphones, and its negative impact on elementary education cannot be left unrecognized. Twitter, Facebook along with many other networking sites have become raging platforms for every child. Indeed, the elementary students are victims of social media, and this has led to reduced grades which hinder them in life. While in class, the children engage in multitasking, and hence there is reduced focus and attention to what is said in class.

Smartphones and Narcissism

Smartphones and social networking cause narcissism in young persons. The proliferation of social platforms has created a generation of narcissists where teenagers seek the approval of others from the media. As Montgomery mentions, there are dopamine effects which cause addiction, and this also causes narcissism behavior. Questions on whether the social media enhances or distracts self-esteem along with promoting narcissistic behavior have been the center of concern. Arguably, the explosion of the technology has been an innovative step that has significantly revolutionized the world while at the same time saw the emergence of narcissism character in children. Studies show that many teenagers with narcissistic traits are significantly drawn to networking sites. Again, psychologists report that smartphones make children care about their image. Fresh findings affirm that there is an association between narcissism and activities on social media as many seek to get approval from others.

Conclusion

I find Montgomery’s arguments to be valid and also recommend that parents should not give smartphones to their children as they have significant negative effects on their lives. Smartphones are addictive, and this affects the child’s academic performance. Besides, many develop antisocial behavior and low self-esteem. Many children are cyberbullied and exposed to sexual predators. Smartphones entwine the society in a way that culminates into a moral panic people create issues with their realities. Networking has significantly triggered problems in teenage relationships. Cases of bullying on the social media due to accessibility to smartphones are also high. Undeniably, the world is witnessing the detrimental impacts of smartphones on young people, and moral degradation has increased.

Work Cited

Montgomery Rick. Should kids wait until 8th grade to get smartphones? These parents are thinking yes. The Kansas City Star. November 12, 2017. http://www.kansascity.com/living/family/article183996056.html. Accessed February 9, 2018.