- Amanda
Washington Post Article
In the 2015 article from Washington Post entitled Researchers: Using an iPad or smartphone can harm a toddler's learning and social skills it called out the need for parents to be aware of the potential, though not yet substantiated, harmful effects of iPad use on a young child's brain. The article bought attention to the fact that "70% of children under the age of 12 use tablets", according to a 2012 Nielsen report. Though the article does confess there is not enough information on the topic, it speculates that iPad time can be detrimental to a child's empathy, sensory skills, and social skills (McCoy, 2015). Links to other articles are also provided, including one to a AAP.org pediatrics page where it gives parents suggestions on how to prevent damage to their child, such as limiting time on the iPad, using age appropriate apps, and ensuring "unplugged time" during the day (Radesky, Schumacher, and Zuckerman, 2015).Guardian Article
In the 2015 Guardian article, Pete Etchells calls out the information presented in a different Guardian article titled Tablets and smartphones may affect social and emotional development, scientists speculate written by Joanna Walters (2015). Pete Etchells explains there is not enough evidence and research to suggest tablets and smartphones are effecting child development. In the article, Etchell claims Walter's Guardian article is used to scare people instead of educate. He sites the only true research-based fact is that looking at a screen before bedtime can be harmful to sleep habits, but other than that there is much more needed research.
Concluding Thoughts
In my opinion, these two articles come to the same conclusion; more research is needed. The Washington Post article provides the reader with information regarding television and learning, but then speculates on the impacts of technology on children. The articles also states the impacts on children when an adult is using the device, but not when a child is using the device. It uses words such as "could be" and "maybe" letting a reader know there isn't actual data, as the title may suggest. The Guardian article goes so far as to call out other articles on their misleading titles and explains in clear language that not enough research has been done to provide distinct answers. Though the Washington Post article by McCoy may throw in other data related to devices and education, it does not actually say there is research on the negative impacts of devices. The Washington Post may use other facts and articles to distract the reader and lead one to make speculations, both articles let the reader know more research is needed, though you have to read through the lines more carefully in the Washington Post article. Where you able to come to these same conclusions or do you believe McCoy sited enough other research to make the connection that iPads are bad for learning and social skills in children?
References
Etchells, P. (2015. February 2). No, research does not say iPads and smartphones may damage toddler's brains. The Guardian. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/science/head-quarters/2015/feb/02/no-research-does-not-say-that-ipads-and-smartphones-may-damage-toddlers-brains
McCoy, T. (2015, February 2). Researchers: Using an iPad or smartphone can harm a toddler's learning and social skills. Washington Post. Retrieved from https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2015/02/02/using-an-ipad-or-smartphone-can-harm-a-toddlers-brain-researchers-says/?utm_campaign=buffer&utm_content=buffer15e6b&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook.com&utm_term=.9bffaaf3b907#comments
Nielsen (2012, February 16). American families see tables as playmate, teacher and babysitter. Retrieved from http://www.nielsen.com/us/en/insights/news/2012/american-families-see-tablets-as-playmate-teacher-and-babysitter.html
Radesky, J., Schumacher, J, & Zuckerman, B. (2015). Mobile and interactive media use by young children: The good, the bad, and the unknown. Pediatrics, 135 (1), http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/135/1/1
Walters, J. (2015, February 2). Tables and smartphones may affect social and emotional development, scientists speculate. The Guardian. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2015/feb/01/toddler-brains-research-smartphones-damage-social-development
I also read these articles. I did find that both articles stated that more research did need to be found. I also felt that Etchells biggest issue were these "scaremongering" tactics of using a title that does not even represent the content of the article, even though it appears that the author edited his title later on. This led me to think that if he were responding to McCoy's article rather than the over exaggeration that Etchells may have more to agree with rather than disagree with McCoy. Ultimately, I thought that Etchells did write a respectful "counter article" that did not use any sort of insults or language that would make me think he was not engaged in civil discourse.
ReplyDelete-Shannon
Amanda, what impact have screens had on the students in your elementary classroom? Both articles are correct, more research is needed; however, sometimes our personal experiences simply verify the research that is to come.
ReplyDelete- Chris
Chris,
DeleteI have not seen much impact on my students, other then I don't have to explain how to use the iPad, just what the students need to find. I'm sure if I was teaching in the same classroom over the past 10 years I could attest to some other changes. A teacher once complained to me that her Kindergartners see the iPad as game device, rather than a learning device. Have you seen impacts?
I've heard similar reactions from middle school teachers in my district. They are already 1:1 with iPads for each student; the HS will be going 1:1 next year. Students don't value the iPads as learning tools, but as an additional entertainment option. IPads do have great entertainment options, but students need to learn how to embrace the educational side to develop their own abilities.
DeleteI reviewed these articles as well. I agree more research needs to be done, but following on Chris's response, what is your personal experience. I know for myself, even though I teach high school, it varies from class to class on how responsible the students are. Some classes can be trusted to use appropriate sites for research and complete the task without being distracted by social media. I think the article should not just focus on young children but all kids. I see social media overtaking my own students and they are oblivious when someone says good morning to them.
ReplyDeleteI have experienced how putting technology in the hands of an irresponsible student can lead to problems for them as well as for the teacher. When I taught a high school course, I would find some students on YouTube instead of finishing their work. It will be interesting to see if research conducted now has any results in a few years. Does your school have consequences for students who abuse their devices during class?
DeleteMost of the inappropriate online material is blocked, but some students can find a way to get around things. If they are caught by our technology supervisor, then they lose their computer privileges. If I catch them in class, then I normally give a warning then if they abuse it again, they receive a detention and an email is sent home.
DeleteHi Amanda
ReplyDeleteI agree with you on this and I think that Etchells’ article is more complementary than contradictory. I think the biggest point that Ethhells was trying to make was that while there may be some negative things we need to look at the “bigger” picture and do more research to be sure and that we as the reader should look at more than just the headline of the article because they can be deceiving. The one interesting thing that I noticed Etchells pointed out was that the McCoy only looked at a study that only examined 40 caregivers and not over a long period of time. I also liked how they agreed on certain things as well such as how devices can be useful for language acquisition and vocabulary.
In the second article of the pair, there was an embedded article entitled, "Mobile and interactive media use by young children: The good, the bad, and the unknown." Pediatrics, 135 by Radesky, Schumacher, and Zuckerman, 2015. I was struck by the following statement.
ReplyDeleteThe ability of mobile media to effectively distract and entertain young children is also a potential benefit of their use. Indeed, smartphones and tablets are increasingly used to help distract children during anesthesia induction or medical/surgical procedures.
I had no idea iPads were being used with children in this way. I'm a little surprised. I wonder how young are these children who are given iPads while undergoing a medical procedure?
I am also wondering how experts are reconciling the two views that iPads are an unhealthy distraction for real-life experiences and the alternative view of using iPads to be an actual distraction from real life experiences. That is a civil discourse that I’m very interested in reading.
I agree, that would be an interesting debate. From this same article, I found this to be an interesting comment:
Delete"Like traditional media use, child use of mobile and interactive media does not occur in a vacuum. Many factors, including parenting style, socioeconomic status, and child temperament, modify the positive and negative effects of media on children’s behavior and development."
I believe that statement will be a large factor in how technology use affects a child.