Discussion Text

 Should Children Use Smartphones?

Source: zeeko.ie

    In today's digital era, smartphones have become an important part of human life. Smartphones are mobile devices that have a variety of advanced features and functions. Smartphones provide access to the internet, social media, games, applications, and various other services. Nowadays, smartphones are very commonly used by various groups, including children. In general, children can be categorized as individuals under the age of 18 (Noorani, 2018). However, in this discussion, we focus more on children in the age range of 3-12 years. This age range is a time when they experience their cognitive, social, and emotional development (Novita, 2022).

    The use of smartphones by children is a topic that is currently being debated. Some argue that very young children should not own smartphones because they do not yet have the cognitive skills to understand and operate the digital world properly. Some opinions suggest delaying the use of smartphones by children until pre-adolescence or adolescence when children are better able to understand the complexities of technology. There are also those who argue that the introduction of children to smartphones should be done at the age of around five or six years. Even though smartphone use is not prohibited before that age, it is better if its use is limited to urgent situations so you don't become addicted to smartphones. However, there are those who disagree and argue that smartphones can enhance children's creativity through features such as cameras and music players, which allow them to develop artistic skills and to express themselves.

    Although the second opinion highlights the potential benefits of using smartphones for children, there are opinions that consider the role of parents to actively monitor and control the content that children access on smartphones is still necessary. Parental controls, time restrictions, and discussions about online safety can help protect children from inappropriate content. Parents must be responsible for setting clear rules and limits regarding the use of smartphones by children. By explaining the advantages and disadvantages of using smartphones, children may be able to understand the purpose and potential risks of using smartphone devices. However, there are those who argue that even though there is parental control, children can still be exposed to dangerous and inappropriate content, such as violence, pornography, and so on.

    While smartphones can contribute to creative thinking, some believe that alternative activities outside of the digital world, such as gardening or reading books, can offer children more fun and creative experiences. Various activities such as social activities, sports, art, etc. can also be alternative activities that can be done to fill children's free time. In addition, for parents, rather than giving smartphones for children to play with, it is better to provide children with alternative toys that can hone motor skills such as coloring and assembling lego or puzzles.

    Some people are also worried about the negative impact of excessive smartphone use on children. Some people argue that children can become addicted to smartphones because of their lack of discipline and ability to set boundaries. This addiction can certainly interfere with their interests, dreams, school work, and relationships. Smartphones can also affect children's social development, as children may prioritize screen time over face-to-face interactions with their peers. The amount of time spent in front of a smartphone can prevent children from having direct contact with other people. Many children prefer to be alone to play or socialize using their smartphones, rather than going out and meeting their friends. This can affect the development of their social skills, such as the ability to interact, communicate, and work together. One argues that physical presence is very important in improving children's social skills and strengthening their relationships with friends. Because when interacting directly, children can learn to listen, understand, and respond appropriately to their interlocutors, unlike interacting via a smartphone which may only be through chat or phone calls. Yes, maybe through phone calls you can also learn to listen, understand and respond to the other person, but reading other people's body language and expressions is also important in communication and interaction. Yes, maybe through phone calls you can also learn to listen, understand and respond to the other person, but reading other people's body language and expressions is also important in communication and interaction. Yes, maybe that can also be done via video call, but most people prefer to chat or telephone and only make video calls at certain times. In addition, they can also learn to adapt to different situations and different people and practice self-confidence in front of other people.

    In addition, the effect of blue light emitted by smartphone screens can also have a negative impact on children's eye health. Moreover, children's eyes are more sensitive and still in the developmental stage, so they are more vulnerable to potential hazards. Being exposed to the blue light emitted by a smartphone screen for too long can cause eye strain and damage to the retina which can cause problems with eye health, for example, myopia or cataracts.

    Smartphones provide seamless access to the internet, which also means children can easily be exposed to content that is not appropriate for their age. Some people argue that the ease of internet access on smartphones can plunge children into content that is not according to their age. Even if there is parental supervision, it is still difficult to supervise children while they are using smartphones.

    On the one hand, some people agree that children should be allowed to use smartphones because there is a lot of information they can get. However, they still emphasized that parents must also monitor and control their children's smartphone use. By setting appropriate content limits and filters under parental supervision it is thought to strike a balance between the benefits and risks of smartphone use. Smartphones can be valuable tools for communication and interaction within the family. With the help of communication apps such as Family Link can also help parents monitor their children's online activity, ensure their safety, and encourage open discussion about responsible digital behavior. By actively participating in children's use of smartphones, parents can guide them in accessing existing content and help them develop the critical thinking skills needed to interact effectively in the digital world.

    In conclusion, the use of smartphones by children is a complex topic and needs to be given proper attention. Several arguments support the use of smartphones by children by considering the benefits, for example, the development of children's creativity and access to information. However, it is important for parents to monitor and control their children's smartphone use, for example by setting time limits and filtering content accordingly. On the other hand, there are concerns about the negative impact of excessive smartphone use on children. This includes the risk of addiction, exposure to inappropriate content, and the negative impact on children's social, health, and cognitive development. Therefore, active parental control is needed, limiting time for using smartphones, and education about online safety so that children can use smartphones positively.

 

References

Noorani, S. (2018). Konvensi Hak Anak: Versi anak anak. Retrieved from UNICEF Indonesia: https://www.unicef.org/indonesia/id/konvensi-hak-anak-versi-anak-anak

Novita, R. (2022, May 4). Fase Tumbuh Kembang Anak 0-12 Tahun Beserta Karakteristiknya. Retrieved from KOMPAS.com: https://buku.kompas.com/read/1406/fase-tumbuh-kembang-anak-0-12-tahun-beserta-karakteristiknya