SB2 - Tablets and smartphones may affect social and emotional development, scientists speculate

Something I have been thinking about more regularly is the use of mobiles to help distract from emotion. This has sparked from bits and pieces I have read but has more frequently been coming to my mind when I find myself using my phone because I'm bored or just need distracting. So I decided to look into this more and found an article which makes a few comments on it. 

“If these devices become the predominant method to calm and distract young children, will they be able to develop their own internal mechanisms of self-regulation?” - Scientists asked. 

“These devices may replace the hands-on activities important for the development of sensorimotor and visual-motor skills, which are important for the learning and application of maths and science,” Radesky said.

There is evidence that well-researched early-learning television programmes, such as Sesame Street, and electronic books and learn-to-read applications on mobile devices can help vocabulary and reading comprehension, the team found, but only once children are much closer to school age.

What I got from this article it seems that smart phones and tech devices whilst can be not great for developing minds. I think it is not a matter of switching them off but more monitoring use. Having them used for the purpose of learning and other important contributions. As these devices have such high poteintly it would be naive to think they are so bad. 


https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2015/feb/01/toddler-brains-research-smartphones-damage-social-development


https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2015-01/bumc-mai013015.php