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I have a love-hate relationship with technology, more specifically, everyday devices like smart phones, iPads and computers. Although I am very grateful to have access to such technology, I think it has poisoned my brain, like it has for so many others. I find myself on my phone for more hours than I’d like, and even though I have always been good about limiting my time on my device, being in college has changed my ways.
This change in behavior has got me thinking about my childhood. I miss it. Well, certain parts of it. The tech-free parts, to be precise. I remember spending days and days running around my backyard with my sister for hours on end. We would play with our toys, make up stories, go to other kids’ houses and ask to play; very rarely would we sit in front of the TV all day. I miss the spontaneity, the excitement and the creativity. And I know kids still experience these moments today, but it isn’t the same.
It seems like modern childhood has drastically changed and has morphed into something more tech-heavy. I know, I sound like an old lady cursing technology, but it really is concerning to see kids with phones and tablets at an extremely young age. They’re learning to walk with their heads down, headphones in and have no social and spatial awareness. The number of times I’ve had to drive really slowly behind a child who was walking toward the middle of the road, had their head down and had headphones in has been too many. Technology has become too powerful.
I feel like American society has accepted technology for children a little too easily. iPads are implemented into elementary schools, and I think that’s too early. I got my first iPad in fifth grade, when I was 10, and I think kids are getting them even earlier than that now. Monroe County Community School Corporation say that all students grades K-12 receive a device for educational use. So, kindergarteners, at age 5, are using devices all day every day? Kindergarten and elementary school are where kids learn how to read, write, problem-solve, socialize and do hands-on activities — not learn how to be addicted to a device.
According to Pew Research Center, 60% of children start engaging with technology under the age of 5. That is unbelievable to me, but it’s also not that surprising. There are many reasons why kids could need technology at such a young age, like contacting their parents, using educational apps, watching videos or playing games, but I don’t see why they should need to do these things at 3 years old. It feels like society is placing a lot of responsibility and power on little kids by expecting them to contact their parents on their own and by giving them access to the whole internet. And using technology to fill their free time is not right. Kids should be outside, playing with other kids, playing with toys, reading books and engaging in other tech-free activities.
Social media is another big one. I get it, some kids on social media are funny and don’t really do any harm, so why not just let them use it? This may be true in some cases, but think about what social media does to us. It’s essentially an addiction. It’s a time trap that sinks its teeth into our lives and doesn’t let go for as long as we’re still online. Social media is merciless, and we as adults already feel insecure and experience the fear of missing out when online, so why should we instill these feelings in young kids?
In my opinion, the appropriate time for a child to obtain a device should be from the age of 12 to 13. And I’m not alone in this thinking. A lot of sources, including American Academy of Pediatrics, Child Mind Institute, and the Cleveland Clinic agree that ages 12 to 13 are the perfect time for a child to obtain a device. Age 11 to 13 is the middle school period. This is when children are starting to mature; they’re meeting new friends, they’re wanting to stay after school, they’re making decisions on their own. This is when kids should have a phone to contact their parents and friends. By waiting until they are older, children get to experience a childhood that is a lot more active and is way better for their mental health.
I worry for this next generation. I hope new families will break from the grasp of technology and teach their children about the importance of tech-free activities like being outside, reading, socializing and drawing. Let kids be kids without devices.
Evelyn Strauss (she/her) is a freshman studying international studies and human biology.
