Nowadays internet and modern technologies are an essential resource that helps people integrate globally with others from different parts of the world and access endless tools that make everyday life easier. Likewise, it gives us the possibility of being informed and having all types of content. It is therefore obvious that they have a significant impact on how to socialize and relate to today’s world.
In addition, on the one hand, platforms and applications facilitate access to information and communication, as well as help to be more interactive and collaborative., on another side They also entail certain risks that must be assumed by being exposed almost all day on the network.
Unfortunately, we are talking about children and young people under the age of 25, because due to their exposure to technology from an early age, some important risks must be taken into account.
We live in a constantly and globally interconnected world.
In our country, UNICEF has prepared a report on the opinions of more than 50,000 adolescents between the ages of 11 and 18. The objective is to know the real impact of the Internet and new technologies at the stage of adolescence. In this study, they analyze how they connect and how they use the Internet and social networks. Specifically, in the area of connectivity, 90% of adolescents have a digital device with an Internet and Wi-Fi connection, where they can connect daily.
Of these, 98% have a Wi-Fi connection at home and 94.8% access the Internet from their mobile phone, moreover, 90.8% connect every day or at least 5 days a week. Therefore, and as we have seen, it is consumption habits that influence the social, psychological and emotional aspect because it has become a practice to have fun, pass the time and socialize through screens.
In few words, 49.6% connect for more than 5 hours and 58.4% sleep with their mobile or tablet next to the bed due to the need to maintain close online contact with other users, use social networks, play video games, among other activities.
Using technology in schools
Similarly, the use of mobile devices with Internet access has spread in recent years to 59% of students. Currently, these devices are used daily in educational institutions, but they are not as common as an educational tool. Only a minority use mobile phones for educational purposes in Spain.
The emergence of e-commerce
It is important to note that the evolution and development of new technologies with the Internet means an acceleration of electronic commerce. These resources are now giving rise to new consumption habits, where users have greater choice and bargaining power. There is now a process for evaluating brands, products, and services where time savings, best prices and deals, and a variety of options prevail before making an online purchase. That is why many users prefer to buy online.
Is the internet somewhat problematic?
In technology news It is normal to observe daily how children and young people are the most vulnerable on the Internet. Objectively and according to UNICEF data, they reveal that 1 in 3 teenagers in Spain uses the Internet in a problematic way. When we talk about something problematic, we hear the excessive use of technology causes problems on physical, mental and emotional well-being.
When can it be considered excessive?
For example, if it comes to interrupt other emotional, physical and/or psychological activities or processes, which would imply dependence and addiction. Likewise, if it also affects the coexistence with the social, educational and family environment due to the unconscious use of the Internet. In addition to spending a high or excessive number of hours on social networks, video games, videos, among others, which interferes with education, interpersonal relationships and personal and academic development.
Cyber harassment, sexting And grooming?
must be put on the table Internet risks such as cyberbullying. It is important to say that these they are much more common in young people. The UNICEF report establishes that 2 out of 10 adolescents could be victims of bullying, although 2.2% believe they have been victims of this type of bullying. Generally, it is produced by physical appearance or sexual orientation.
As it concerns sextingIt should be noted that girls are the ones who feel the most pressure and harassment to send erotic/sexual photos or videos. It is important to differentiate it from grooming, an illegal practice of pedophilia on the Internet; the (unknown) adult pretends to be a minor via chat platforms or social networks to have sexts and sexual contact with another minor.
The excess of technology in the smallest
Currently, children become familiar with mobile phones and tablets at an early age. Moreover, many of them have a habit of using them every day as a method of entertainment that keeps them busy and calm for a long time in their daily lives. But you have to remember that It is the adults who promote this practice since the children are about one year old.Even if the The American Academy of Pediatrics and the Canadian Pediatric Society state that babies 0-2 years old should not have contact with digital devices.
Finally, the problems that children can generate in the short, medium and long term in society are related to brain development and cognitive abilities. Therefore, it is believed that the contact of children under the age of 2 with technology could influence the attention deficit, distractions during studies, increased temper tantrums due to overstimulation and dependence on these teams.
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