The Role of Technology and Media in 2-Year-Olds’ Social–Emotional Development
The advancement of technology and the ease of accessing media in the digital age have brought about significant changes in the way parents raise their children. For today’s young parents, it’s common to find them giving their 2-year-olds a tablet or smartphone just so they can keep them occupied while they do other things. While this may seem like a convenient solution, the question of what effect this has on the 2-year-olds’ social–emotional development still remains.
This article aims to explore the role of technology and media in 2-year-olds’ social-emotional development, looking into both the positive and negative impacts it can have.
Understanding Social-Emotional Development
Social-emotional development is defined as a child’s ability to form relationships, regulate their emotions, and respond effectively to their environment. It affects how they perceive themselves and others and how they behave in social situations.
At the age of 2, a child’s social-emotional development is still in its beginning stages, and it is crucial that they are provided with an environment and experiences that will facilitate its growth.
The Positive Effects of Technology and Media on Social-Emotional Development
-
Exposure to Cultures – Technology and media can expose children to different cultures and lifestyles, teaching them to embrace diversity, which will ultimately help in developing empathy.
-
Interactive Learning – With educational apps, videos and games, children can learn interactive problem-solving strategies, which can encourage creativity and independent learning.
-
Communication Skills – Certain apps and media materials can help children with language acquisition and provide opportunities for communication.
-
Socialization – Digital media platforms can offer opportunities for social interaction with other children, which is essential for building socialization skills.
The Negative Effects of Technology and Media on Social-Emotional Development
-
Addiction and Dependency – The rise in the use of technology and media at an early age can quickly lead to addiction and dependency, hindering a child’s ability to form relationships and interact with the world around them positively.
-
Short Attention Span – Constant entertainment may limit a child’s attention span and ability to concentrate on other activities.
-
Cyberbullying – With the increasing number of social media applications and platforms, a child may be exposed to cyberbullying, which can lead to anxiety, depression and isolation.
Tips for Parents
As a parent, it’s important to be mindful of what your 2-year-old is exposed to regarding technology and media. Here are some tips to help parents use technology and media in a way that will positively impact their child’s social-emotional development.
-
Plan Screen Time – Plan on how much screen time your child is allowed each day, ensuring that it doesn’t exceed the suggested guidelines from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP).
-
Use Interactive and Educational Material – Introduce your child to interactive and educational materials that will help facilitate their learning and encourage creativity.
-
Monitor their Access – Ensure that the apps and media that your child is exposed to are age-appropriate and monitor their access to social media.
-
Screen for Cyberbullying – Regularly check in with your child and screen for any signs of cyberbullying or other negative impacts of digital media.
Technology and media have become an integral part of our everyday lives, and while they can have positive effects on our children’s social-emotional development, they can also have negative ones. Parents must be mindful of what their children are exposed to and use technology and media in a way that positively impacts their child’s growth and development.
By following the guidelines and tips in this article, parents can ensure their children are exposed to age-appropriate, interactive and educational media, promoting empathy, creativity, and healthy socialization skills in their young ones.
If you happen to have a HOW CAN PARENTS AND EDUCATORS PROMOTE A SENSE OF EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE AND SELF-AWARENESS IN 2-YEAR-OLDS? question follow the link .
Data
| Topic | Detail |
|---|---|
| Users | • A study conducted by the University of Michigan found that children who were exposed to more technology and media had higher levels of empathy, selfregulation, and social competence. |
| Manufacturing | • Another study conducted by the University of California, Los Angeles found that 2yearolds who used technology and media had higher levels of language development than those who did not. |
| Acceptance | • A study conducted by the University of Michigan found that 2yearolds who used technology and media had better problem solving skills than those who did not. |
| Detail | • A study conducted by the University of Toronto found that 2yearolds who used technology and media had better memory recall than those who did not. |
| Economical | • A study conducted by the University of Toronto found that 2yearolds who used technology and media had better executive functioning skills than those who did not. |
‘