Psychosocial Issues

However useful technology is, our dependence and immersion into a digital world has created unintended and sometimes intended consequences on our mental health and well-being. Behavioral addiction is common in our society and the technology industry has capitalized on it deliberately to keep us hooked on our phones, video games and social media.  Unfortunately, technology is being heavily used in schools now even though much of the content may not be truly educational or actually teach us in the way in which our brains absorb and retain information. Instead of enhancing education this technology if overused appears to be hampering learning and memorization. Violent video games are contributing to psychologic disturbances.  The reduction in human connection especially for children is causing detachment and lack of empathy.

There is another important issue surfacing regularly and that is the commodification of the internet with exploitation of children’s data. There are many educators who are now becoming aware of the significant downsides of the overuse of technology and trying to downsize tech in the classrooms. Colleges and law schools now are frequently banning laptops in lectures to avoid the distractions that prevent effective learning.

American Academy of Pediatrics Digital Media Journal 2017

The American Academy of Pediatrics published a special Pediatrics Supplement Nov 2017. Volume 140.  http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/140/Supplement_2 The Articles can be downloaded and are as follows:

Pediatrics Journal Articles in Digital Media and Children Supplement Nov 2017

 

Here are some references you may wish to look at. You may also visit other areas of our websites for more information-

Links and Resources: Physicians for Safe Technology Links and Resources

Internet Addiction:    Physicians for Safe Technology Addiction

Psychosocial Issues:  Physicians for Safe Technology Psychosocial Issues

 

Websites

baby-84626_1920Children and Technology 

 American Academy of Pediatrics: Media Use

Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood

Children’s Screen Time Action Network

Common Sense Media: Is Technology Changing Childhood?

Resources for Social Emotional Learning

 

Books

Technology- Psychosocial Issues

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The Big Disconnect: Protecting Childhood and Family Relationships in the Digital Age. Catherine Steiner Adair. (2014).

 

Behavioral Addictions: Criteria, Evidence, and Treatment. (2014)  Kenneth Rosenberg, MD and Laura Feder, Psy.D 

 

Irresistible: The Rise of Addictive Technology and the Business of Keeping Us Hooked. Adam Alter. (2017)

 

Reset Your Child’s Brain: A Four-Week Plan to End Meltdowns, Raise Grades and Boost Social Skills by Reversing the Effects of Electronic Screen-Time.  Dr. Victoria Dunkley. (2015)

 

Screen Schooled: Two Veteran Teachers Expose How Technology Overuse Is Making Our Kids Dumber. Joe Clement and Matt Miles. (2017)

 

World Without Mind: The Existential Threat of Big Tech. Franklin Foer.( 2017)

 

 

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