Children Should Understand More About People Than About Technology

Children must understand more about people, emotions, and social relationships than they do about technology. This in no way excludes that they should do without the latter, because our world expands with it and it is an essential raw material. However, in the face of a future marked by Artificial Intelligence, robotics and technology, it is essential that we do not leave aside the most important matter of all: humanity.

Peter Fonagy, Professor of Contemporary Psychoanalysis and Developmental Science at University College London, points out something important: We are not educating our children for the challenges of tomorrow. In a way, what we are doing is giving them resources and guidance so that they study, so that they are trained in the more branches the better. However, the classic idea of ​​”study to be someone in life” is lagging: they lack more skills.

Because the current times are very different and will be more shortly. To technological progress is added climate change, social changes, constant variations in our geopolitics, etc. One of our main purposes would therefore be to educate children who are more resistant but flexible at the same time.

Thus, factors such as resilience, creativity, innovation, critical thinking, empathy and humanity stand as that essential capital that would shape a more hopeful future.

Also, one aspect in which Professor Fonagy affects is mental health. Faced with a present and a tomorrow full of challenges, our little ones must be skillful when it comes to managing their emotions, their anxiety, their self-esteem … Let’s see more data below.

Children should understand more than people

Phones, tablets, computers … Our children are native to all these devices, they were born watching us using them and it is impossible for them not to feel a natural attraction to that universe. However, it is often said that technology by itself is not harmful to our children, but the psychology behind it is.

What does this mean? We refer to what is known as persuasive design. Every insignificant detail that we see on our social networks, in any application, in video games or even in the way we move with our devices is designed to keep us in front of the screen for as long as possible.

It is clear that technology by itself is not harmful. It has made things easier for us in many different ways, but the ultimate purpose of any application, social network or video game is to obtain income, as well as information from each of us as users.

To do this, they use sophisticated psychological mechanisms that are counterproductive in the long run. However, let’s be clear, early overexposure to technology is not the best thing for a developing child’s brain.

Technology impairs sociability and emotional management

Exposure to technology is changing the way children’s brains are wired. We cannot forget that the brain of children is growing, it is very malleable and sensitive to stimuli. What early exposure to electronic screens achieves is hyperactivity, having to process multiple information at once quickly.

• In addition, competencies as important as focused attention, imagination, resistance, frustration, etc. are weakened. In the world of technology there is always positive reinforcement that keeps them alert and hooked.
• Thus, and if this were not enough, in a study carried out at the University of Texas by Sangmin Xun, he points out that the early use of technology makes it difficult for children and adolescents to learn to regulate their emotions. In addition, it increases the tendency to anxiety and depression, lowers school performance and limits interpersonal interactions.
• On this last point, Professor Peter Fonagy, quoted at the beginning, points out something very striking. Technology doesn’t just reduce the quality of children’s relationships with their peers. Furthermore, a certain distance is being created between the younger generations and the children themselves. The latter prefer to look for information on their doubts on the Internet before consulting with adults.

Children should understand more about people: yes to Emotional Intelligence, social connection, dialogue

Children should understand more about people and less about having a profile on Instagram or Facebook. Our little ones must establish early skills as basic as dialogue, empathy, emotional regulation, interest in others, creativity, problem solving, enjoyment of the game, nature …

This does not imply that we should prohibit them from accessing technology. What we must do is regulate it, control the exposure times according to age and more importantly: be their best example. It is not worth taking them to a park and while being aware of our mobile phone. Nor is it appropriate to give them to understand that the Internet is that tool that knows everything and solves it.

Sometimes it is good to go ask grandparents or any other adult, go exploring, invent something with friends, play, create, fall, get up, build things with your hands and draw dreams with other people, etc. Life’s problems are not solved by watching a YouTube tutorial, and therefore our children must be able to face many challenges on their own. Let’s give them that learning and that opportunity .