How Technology Affects Children - Research Paper Example

Assessment Instrument Cover Sheet Course: Code: BBUS 225 Course Title: Business Research Methods This instrument assesses the following Course Learning Outcomes (CLO): Tick Course Learning Outcomes (CLO)* Marks □ 1. Describe the role of business research and code of ethics in business research N.A. □ 2. Explain the stages involved in a business research process and problem Discovery N.A. □ 3. Demonstrate methodology of undertaking business research. N.A. □ 4. Develop business research proposal /10 □ 5. Analyze survey data to generate and present research report. /10 Presentation 5 points Total from 25 / 25 *Linkages to Program Outcomes and Concentration Outcomes are provided in the Syllabus. Student Name: ........................................................................................ Student ID No: ........................................................................................ Acknowledgement I would like to acknowledge the management and staff of the institution for allowing me the opportunity to carry out this research in their premises. I also acknowledge my lectures for their effort and devotion in teaching me the skills and knowledge necessary to undertake my studies. I also remember all those who those who provided me with the indispensable support during the research period, ‘God bless you all.’ Executive Summary The current life is hemmed in with hi-tech products. It affects people of all fields and ages and mainly children because of their vulnerability. The technology has both positive and negative effects on children’s lives. Even though it is appropriate for schooling, from time to time it may also comprise bad information. It possibly will bring some wrong messages to a child, if not used as it should be. In conducting the study, stratified random sampling was used in collecting data. The data was analyzed through a descriptive analysis. The findings indicate that parents would not allow their kids to use technology at an early age. They consider that it should be used appropriately. The respondents agree that technology has both positive and negative effects on children. It is therefore recommended that appropriate measures and policies such as engaging in routing physical activity and limiting access should be considered. This is to ensure that there is proper use of technology as the negative effects are mitigated. Table of contents Introduction This chapter seeks to introduce the study by probing into the background of the study, statement of the problem, objectives of the study, benefits of the research and the limitations of the study. Background of the Study The current life is hemmed in with hi-tech products. In recent times there has been a dramatic growth in technology. Indeed it has come to be a vital part of life and remains as a key driving forces into the future. It is changing our lives with deep effect which we cannot even arise to see or appreciate. Kids in the present-day group are charmed with technology, particularly television/media, video games, and computers. The human brain is attracted to visually presented information. Video games, television/media, and computers are all visually oriented and so they draw and keep the attention of children. Granting maybe it is not that they love technology so much but the modest fact they have never lived minus it. Problem Statement Technology affects people of all fields and ages. It affects children as well, but they are more vulnerable than the older people. The technology has both positive and negative effects on children’s lives which have had a momentous effect on children that has brought on some worries (Carpenter, 2000). Parents, teachers and the government had better understand the positive and negative effects of technology on children. So it is necessary to discuss technology effects on children and how it can be used to improve a child’s life instead of allowing it to have power over them in a destructive way. Research Objectives The main objective of the research study is to establish the positive and negative effects of technology on the children’s daily life. Specifically, the research study seeks to answer the following questions? 1- What are the effects of technology on children, both positive and negative? 2- What is the opinion of parents regarding their children’s exposure to technology? 3- How does technology impact children’s reading sills, social skills, physical activity, attention span, creativity, behavior and sleep? Benefits of the Research This research study will be of significance to the society in general. Specific groups including parents, teachers, and the government will find the findings of the research to be so invaluable. Parents will be able to understand the effects of technology and how to handle their kids in helping them to manage the negative effects of technology at home. Teachers, who deal with the kids for a lot more time, will realize the effects of technology on their students and offer appropriate schooling on the topic. The government can use the information to develop appropriate policies to guide the conduct and administration of children. Study Limitations The study was limited by the confidentiality concerns that the respondents had regarding their kids life. As a result, some of the respondents failed to return the filled questionnaires. Literature Review Thomas (2004), points out that childhood has been changing with every generation, however, it has never been so altered from earlier periods as it is in the present day. Today’s kids are pretentious to a huge amount and range of technology they are exposed to. They now can use televisions, mobiles, and computers with virtually unlimited openings for learning and fun but it also brings some intricate evils for kids. Technology brings some diverse ways for kids to study. According to Lehmann (2008), “kids who use the internet show improvements in intellectual abilities such as memory, spatial and logical problem solving, concentration, critical thinking, abstraction and comprehension”. The internet has provided lots of information and knowledge that is also easily obtainable as one does not have to visit the library every so often should the need information. Moreover, technology can also be employed to entice children to learn, especially, the use of videos, and pictures in classes. Kids do not have to concentrate on their textbooks all the time, they can study in a more motivating. Children have also been critically swayed with the current communication system that has relieved way they interrelate with their friends. At present, kids no longer need to go visiting their friends at their individual homes. The use of certain communication devices have shortened it for them since the children can socialize with other children through the use of chat rooms, emails, and instant messaging. This has also gone a long way to develop their overall skills (Fanning, 2007). Conversely, technology has influenced children in a bad way. Too much reliance on the internet can easily make them to be lazy. Using these easy tools of information leads to unhealthy practices which could have a lot of consequences. According to Palmer (2012), “British kids are projected to spend five and six hours daily on screen-based entertainment”. In place of playing outdoor with their friends they stay in their houses watching television and conversing with their virtual contacts by the computer. As a result, the children stop playing, exercising, fighting and just being kids. They spur get health problems such as obesity at an early stage, which is gradually increasing in the developed world. Moreover, they lose face to face contact. Through technology children continuously mimic others, acting by their observation short of analysis; they are easily affected by the environs. Children are influenced by what they see and hear using technological devices. They straightforwardly learn bad behavior and negative information (Fanning, 2007). Methodology This chapter covers the study design, target population, sampling design and data collection methods. Stratified random sampling was used in collecting data. Stratified random sampling involves dividing ones population into homogenous groups then taking a simple sample in each sub group. The stratified random sampling method was best suited in this research because the population consisted of different people from different age groups and at different levels. The method was appropriate because it represented only the overall group of the population and also minimized bias. The data is easily use of questionnaires. This fits into the descriptive research deign making easy the quantitative analysis of the collected data to determine the relationship that exists between the independent and the dependent variables. This is a scientific method of investigation in which data is collected and analyzed in order to describe the current conditions, terms of relationship concerning a problem. Descriptive design attempts to describe the nature, behavior, influence and the factors that contribute to the study, gives views and feelings from the respondents regarding factors that would influence the study and accuracy of the data. Data Analysis and Findings This chapter explains data analysis, presentation and interpretation of the research findings. Table 1: Descriptive Summary Statistics   Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q5 Q6 Q20 Q21 Q22 Q23 Mean 2.56 0.36 0.2 0.2 2.76 4.48 0.36 0.72 4.2 1.92 Mode 2 0 0 0 4 6 0 1 4 1 Standard Deviation 1.072095 0.484873 0.494872 0.404061 1.254543 2.196844 0.484873 0.453557 1.616244 1.89349 Sample Variance 1.149388 0.235102 0.244898 0.163265 1.573878 4.826122 0.235102 0.205714 2.612245 3.585306 Minimum 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 Maximum 4 1 2 1 4 7 1 1 6 5 Count 50 50 50 50 50 50 50 50 50 50 Table 1 above indicates the summary statistics on the data. On average, majority of the respondents were aged 20-25 years, were women, married and had children. The average level of education for the respondents had an associate degree and earned between 10,000 DHS to 20,000 DHS. On average, the respondents indicated that they had their first mobile phone at the age of between 10-12 years. The respondents also support that the mean age at which to introduce technology in a childcare setting should be between 3-4 years. However, many preferred and age on 5-6 years. Also, on average the respondents indicated that if they had a mobile phone they would not use it to entertain their children. However, on average if the respondents were a parent they indicated that they would give their child a mobile phone or tablet to divert them from being unpleasant. Table 2: Personal Opinions   Q7 Q8 Q9 Q10 Q11 Q12 Mean 2.28 2.04 2.64 2.84 2.56 3.16 Mode 2 2 2 3 1 2 Standard Deviation 1.088718 0.924938 1.241461 1.44787 1.667945 1.44787 Sample Variance 1.185306 0.85551 1.541224 2.096327 2.782041 2.096327 Minimum 1 1 1 1 1 1 Maximum 5 4 6 6 6 6 Count 50 50 50 50 50 50 On average the respondents agree that it is important for children to learn how to use computers and other technology from an early age to help them get on at school. They also generally agree that traditional objects such as books, games and alphabet blocks are more educational than computer-based games with sounds and letters. Also, the respondents generally concur that a child needs to be skilled with computers and new tablet devices to be successful in life. The respondents also in general indicate they would be concerned that a child may come to be hooked to new mobile media like smartphones or tablet devices. Further, on average, the respondents agree that they would worry about their child’s acquaintance to media when the child is at someone else’s home and not with them. Finally, the respondents do not fall on either side (neutral) on the use of media as a way to associate with their child. Table 3: Results on Positive or Negative Effects   Q13 Q14 Q15 Q16 Q17 Q18 Q19 Mean 3.4 3.32 4.8 4 2.36 3.68 4.72 Mode 2 2 5 4 2 3 5 Standard Deviation 1.340119 1.39152 0.638877 0.808122 0.984782 0.978128 0.536048 Sample Variance 1.795918 1.936327 0.408163 0.653061 0.969796 0.956735 0.287347 Minimum 1 1 2 3 1 2 3 Maximum 6 6 5 5 5 6 5 Count 50 50 50 50 50 50 50 On average the respondents think that televisions, computers, video games or mobile devices such as smart phones, video iPods and iPads have neither a positive or negative effect on children’s reading skills, social skills and behavior. However, the respondents indicate that the technology instruments have a somewhat negative effect on the kids’ physical activity, attention span and sleep. On creativity, the respondents generally indicate that the devices have a somewhat positive effect. Conclusions and Recommendations The recent technological advancements have come to be key part of life. Children have come to be accustomed to the use of technology through devices such as televisions, video games and computers. The kids derive some positive outcomes through the use of technology, particularly in learning. However, there are negative effects such as the loss of social contact and poor physical activity. The study findings indicate that parents would not allow their kids to use technology at an early age. They consider that it should be used appropriately. The respondents agree that technology has both positive and negative effects on children. It is therefore recommended that appropriate measures and policies such as engaging in routing physical activity and limiting access should be considered. This is to ensure that there is proper use of technology as the negative effects are mitigated. Bibliography Carpenter, S. (2000). In Digital Age, Experts Pause to Examine Effects On Kids. . Fanning M.D. (2007). Television & Computer Effects on Learning and Emotional Intelligence. . Lehmann, M. (2008). Technology: Its Effects on Children. . Thomas, W. (2004). Cell Phone Health Effects/ Busy Signals. > Read More