Use of mobile devices while attending to
mundane tasks may be detrimental to th
social-emotional development of
children, researchers said.
"It has been well-studied that increased
television time decreases a child's
development of language and social
skills. Mobile media use similarly replace
the amount of time spent engaging in
direct human-human interaction," said
Jenny Radesky from the Boston
University's School of Medicine in the US.
As mobile devices are everywhere and
children are using them more frequently
at young ages, the authors questioned
whether heavy device use during young
childhood could interfere with
development of empathy, social and
problem solving skills that are typically
obtained by exploring, unstructured play
and interacting with peers.
"These devices also may replace the
hands-on activities important for the
development of sensory-motor and
visual-motor skills, which are important
for the learning and application of math
and science," Radesky added.
It is well-known that infants and toddler
learn best through hands-on and face-
to-face experiences.
While effects of interactive mobile device
remain largely unknown, the authors
recommended that parents should try
each application before allowing their
children to access it.
Parents should use these applications
with their children, as using interactive
media together enhances its educational
value, the researchers said in a
commentary which 5appeared in the
journal Pediatrics.
http://m.gadgets.ndtv.com/science/news/smartphones-may-derail-social-development-of-children-study-656400
