The Impact of Television and Video Technology on Children's Attention Spans - Essay Example

The impact of television and video technology on childrens attention spans Introduction In the modern world there are many temptations for our children. With the development of technology, they received an access to different technological achievements everyone has at home. If in 1980s only radio usually entertained young people, nowadays they have an unlimited access to TVs and computers. Playing computer games is now a favorite occupation for our children. They also like to watch TV very much and many children start their day by switching the TV set on. Computers and television can help develop children’s intellect but the question arises how this habit affects children’s health. Certainly, it is a well-known fact that excessive TV watching is a very bad habit, but it is necessary to define what exactly it affects negatively. Bad eyesight and sedentary life are not all the negative consequences as now scientists have already paid attention to children’s attention span. Attention span of children should improve in the early age, but if negative effects are present, the process can be disturbed. In the given paper we will discuss how the attention span of children is influenced by television and video technology. If a child is developing in normal conditions, its attention span is constantly improving. However, some factors can influence the process of development negatively. These factors are now actively studied by experts. The first factor is anemia that is usually caused by iron deficiency. Anemia is “a condition in which a lack of iron results in a diminished amount of blood cells that carry oxygen through the blood” (Bruce, 2013). Anemia is frequently met state and if it has a light form, it is not considered as dangerous and can be easily cured. Serious forms of anemia can affect cognitive functions of children and their attention span. The second state that negatively influences the attention span of children is Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Hyperactive children are usually not able to concentrate their attention on something. This state is cured with the help of corresponding therapy and certain medications. Finally, the important factor that needs special attention is excessive TV watching and video games playing. This factor deserves special attention as it was proved that if a little child watch TV or play games very often, it may have problems with attention span in future. The objects move in the screen fast and do not allow a child to concentrate, thus it may lose such ability. The investigation held by Peter Jensen came to the conclusion that: "Extensive exposure to television and video games may promote development of brain systems that scan and shift attention at the expense of those that focus attention" (cited in DeGaetano, 2012) Now when the development of the technology is very fast some parents make a strange decision to send their child to school where the process of study is not connected with the technology. They are afraid that technological achievements can influence their child’s brain negatively (Kessler, 2012). This testifies that many parents do believe that visual media prevents children from normal concentration. According to Dr Jane Healy, "A good brain for learning develops strong and widespread neural highways that can quickly and efficiently assign different aspects of a task to the most efficient system...Such efficiency is developed only by active practice in thinking and learning which, in turn, builds increasingly stronger connections. A growing suspicion among brain researchers is that excessive television viewing may affect the development of these kinds of connections. It may also induce habits of using the wrong systems for various types of learning" (Healy, 1991). As teachers and parents can trace every day, modern children are really less attentive; they become more hyperactive, impulsive with less ability to concentrate. Such a change in children’s development is closely connected with their way of life. Investigations shows that those children who watch TV or play games more than two hours a day have a disturbance of attention span development. Though there are many positive moments in digital technology availability, as children have an unlimited access to different kinds of material that can improve their intellect, the brain of young children may be influenced negatively and we can receive a generation with bad concentration. According to Matt Richtel, "There is a widespread belief among teachers that students constant use of digital technology is hampering their attention spans and ability to persevere in the face of challenging tasks" (cited in Galinsky 2012). The fact is that moving objects draw our attention unintentionally, and a child’s brain becomes captured by video images. It looks at the screen and loses the ability to think properly and concentrate on the certain object. There are some families where children spend all their time near computers and TV sets. Certainly, computer can help develop some skills and it is doing it successfully, but it is also proved that concrete 3D world is more positive for children under 12, while 2D games and TV movies have more negative influence on children (DeGaetano, 2012). If our children are provided with good conditions, they can easily develop the attention spans they need for our demanding world. It is parents and teachers who should provide the children with such conditions. Unfortunately, many modern parents can’t imagine that their child can be entertained without TV or computer. Some teachers also can’t catch the attention of their pupils without video. This is a big problem of our society that should be urgently resolved. The problem is that many parents do not realize the seriousness of the problem or just do not want to realize as it is suitable for them to feel free when a child is watching cartoons. Such approach is wrong as it may result in many problems in future. “The normal course of human brain development naturally leads to a well-developed attention span. Lets make sure we give our children brain-compatible activities on a regular basis, no matter how challenging that is for us in a media age. If parents and educators start mimicking the unreality of the visual media, we have no one but ourselves to blame when our children cannot effectively deal with their reality” (DeGaetano, 2012). Conclusion and recommendations Television and video games affects children’s attention span negatively, therefore important measures should be taken in order to control the situation. Besides the factors that may have negative impact, there are factors, which influence the attention span positively and they should be learned by parents. They are physical activity, good nutrition, interesting occupations, caring for pets. The task of the parents is to make a child spend less time near the TV set or computer. There are plenty of methods: a child may go in for sport, be involved in crafts or arts. Also parents may choose a good pet for their child. Playing with a new friend will reduce the time spent near the TV set. Moreover, a little child should spend more time outside with his friend and have many toys to play with. It is important to buy toys, which can help a child to develop such as puzzles or blocks. It is also essential to provide a child with healthy nutrition. Eating breakfast before school helps concentrate attention during the whole day. Special schedule for watching TV should be in every family with little children. Parents must understand that the future of the children depends on their brain development. In the modern world there are many temptations for children, however, good care can minimize the negative effect. References Bruce, Nya. (2013). What factors affect the attention span of children. Retrieved March 11, 2013 from http://www.wisegeek.com/what-factors-affect-the-attention-span-of-children.htm Galinsky, Ellen. (2012).Texting, TV and Tech Trashing Childrens Attention Spans Retrieved March 11, 2013 from http://www.huffingtonpost.com/ellen-galinsky/kids-and-technology_b_2068862.html Kessler Sarah (2012)Attention Spans in 2020: Will Technology Hurt Your Childs Brain? http://mashable.com/2012/02/29/technology-effects-on-childrens-brains/ DeGaetano, Gloria (n.d.) Visual Media and Young Childrens Attention Spans http://jcp.proscenia.net/publications/articles_mlr/degaetano/visualmedia.html Healy, Jane. (1991). Endangered Minds: Why Our Children Dont Think and What To Do About It. Simon and Schuster Read More