The Digital babysitter : How electronic devices affect our children's life

Electronic devices are nowadays serving as modern-day babysitters. This has fundamentally transformed childhood development in many ways.

Children are most of the time holding a tablet or a smartphones to have access to entertainment or education, often replacing the traditional forms of play, and learning. 

While these devices offer easy  access to information and learning opportunities, they also create a more insidious dependency that affects the development of the brain during the critical formative years. 

The availability of digital stimulation has damaged our attention span, resulting in many children struggling to engage in activities that are devoid of immediate gratification. 

Children are spending less time developing crucial skills that rely on unstructured play, face-to-face communication, and real-world problem-solving.

This resulted in a major lack in creativity and resilience that naturally grow through traditional childhood activities.
Excessive screen-time also affects sleep patterns and social development. 

Children who spend a significant amount of time on electronic devices, experience disrupted sleep leading to serious issues regarding concentration, mood regulation, and academic performance. 

The addictive component that was deliberately injected in these devices creates a dopamine dependency that makes it increasingly difficult for children to find satisfaction in ordinary activities. 

Social skills erode as children become more comfortable communicating through screens than engaging in face-to-face interactions.

Kids also become socially inept as they start struggling with reading cues, developing empathy, and navigating complex social situations. 

Instant gratification impairs the development of patience, persistence, and delayed gratification that are crucial ingredients for success. 

Furthermore, the unrealistic content consumed distorts the children's perceptions of reality, body image and expectations, causing anxiety, depression, and feelings of inadequacy.
Most concerning is how digital devices are fundamentally redefining family bonds, creating children who seek their devices rather than human comfort during stressful times. 

Parents as well find themselves relying on devices to keep their kids silent and occupied, thus inadvertently reducing interactions and teaching opportunities. 

Everything suggests that we are raising a generation that is not equipped to handle real-world challenges, a generation that is more susceptible to anxiety and depression, a generation that is unable to cultivate real human connections. 

Technology undoubtedly offers valuable help when used thoughtfully.

Our challenge is to find a balance that preserves the essential elements of childhood development that have traditionally prepared children for successful, fulfilling adult lives.