Riley Coe, Jon Diederich, Valerie Dimond, Kristopher King

Cris Longhurster

English 2010

March 8, 2017

The Development Destroyer

Preadolescents go through several key developmental stages. Activities like working out

the brain by creative play helps their brains develop a properly functioning frontal cortex. During

these developmental stages their brains build the most neuronal connections which improves

imagination. When kids brains are passively stimulated by screens, they do not experience the

same critical heavy lifting that those do without technology (Kardaras). Kids who grow up

with copious exposure to technology suffer from lack of imagination and interest by limiting

their capacity to develop socially, psychologically, and academically.

Consider the facts and continuous research that is stemming from improper and

superfluous use of screens. The overabundance of anything in actuality is quite dangerous. In

spite of digital devices being used for work or school projects, there is an urgency that must take

place in order for a balance. Technology is poisonously leaking into the stream of social

interaction. The user is becoming unable to balance the time spent on it. For a moment, envision

hypothetically that the research on electronic involvement had never been done to discern

whether screen time is capable of influencing us. If one were to simply attend any public school

and walk through campus they will find most students with their heads tilted forward engrossed

in their devices. Sadly, the acceptance of this phenomenon has become treated considerably as

the social norm. The general population may be using phones for the purpose of sending an email
or an important text, nevertheless at what expense? No matter the objective, people are stepping

out of conscious reality. What are they missing? Social interaction, networking and face to face

communication. Sure there are ways to stay in touch with the world through technology, but by

doing it through a screen is like hiding behind a wall. Fears are not conquered by asking

someone on a date by swiping right on your smartphone.

From an interview with Simon Sinek, he teaches his viewers that when the younger generation is

stressed they turn to a device or social media rather than a person. He likens phones to alcohol,

drugs and smoking, where people turn to them in an effort to get away from the world. There are

restrictions on the age for alcohol use, but none for technology. ... which is the equivalent of

opening up the liquor cabinet and saying to our teenagers hey by the way this adolescence thing

when it gets you down [go ahead and take a drink] (Sinek). The screen, in essence, has become

a drug without most of society recognizing it as one. Sinek continues by explaining how youth

keep their phones on the table during dinner with friend, and by so doing send a message that the

friend is less important than a text or likes from a facebook post that are waited for. Actions like

this damage social interaction. They put the digital world higher than human life. Becoming so

involved with what is occurring on the other side of the world rather than what is actually

happening in their life right then and there.

The issues with the effects that technology have on our development do not just end there. As

youth persist living off of technology, their development is progressively diminishing. In an

article by the Huffington Post, it has been realized that the average 21st century child spends

approximately 7.5 hours each day involved with some form of device or another. It is

frightening to consider how this is effecting fundamental growth and heavy lifting the brain
needs to do that is not being done at the expense of these frequent hours spent enthralled within

the world of electronics.

Our awesomely complex, yet elegantly simple brain is the best organized three pounds of

matter in the known universe. Decidedly human but individually unique, it is a wary, curious,

and exploratory organ that actively experiences and interprets its environment (Sylwester).

Our brains are incredibly complex, in which even at the expense of the most minimal action can

have tremendously extensive consequences. Comparing this statement to that former statistic, an

average of 7.5 hours preoccupied with technology each day is much more than a small action.

Because the minds of the youth of society are not yet fully developed, and essentially with all the

excess usage on electronics, their minds and thinking capacity is diminishing. While there are

many effects that technology can have on different aspects of development, the psychological

effects that it has on the brain are extremely vital to have addressed. Drugs and alcohol are not

the only substances that can adversely alter the brain's way of operating, technology has a huge

impact on how quickly processing information takes, and on which parts of the brain function

most efficiently. The brain is a crucial part on the functionality of humans, and if time is spent

during developmental years poisoning them, it will be impossible to ever reach full mental

potential.

As preadolescents increase their already excessive time spent on screens it is unquestionably

diminishing their academic functions. Luxuriant usage of any device by this generation are

unmistakably setting them up for failure in intellectual establishments. Students minds are

wandering off into the irrelevent. Studies have shown that as they continue to become distracted
by all the overwhelming overload of information so effortlessly attainable, and that knowledge in

reality is actually becoming counterproductive (Donna Zajonc). If one were to replace those

moments of gratuitous scrolling with studying or just simply reading, think of the wonders of

knowledge that can come from wisely managing these allotted chances. Unfortunately, many are

falling slave to the enticements of the aggressive overload of information.

At times, Such accessibility and the ever expanding world of technology may provide students to

experience an enormous advantage. Advancement in technology is meant to maintain the

objective of helping to broaden the minds of those seeking out knowledge. Such advantages

enable students to have greater conveniences to all that world has to offer, and to receive those

opportunities at a moment's notice. In an article written by Magwa Simuforosa, for the

International Journal of Education and Research, it explains there is strong evidence that

modern technology complements what a great teacher does naturally, extending their reach and

broadening their students experiences beyond the classroom. The belief is that as technology

develops, the knowledge and experience for students should also progress.

However, as students are becoming more connected with technology, they are loosing a greater

connection with themselves and their development. The reality of the situation is that the

astounding amount of accessibility that one is exposed to become excessively engaged with

technology are experiencing detrimental disadvantages in their academic achievements. The

overload is extremely distracting, and when exposure to the likes of technology being at such a

young, tender age, there is no doubt it will be a destructive habit to have in the future.

Furthermore, students are putting way too much dependency on technology-and it cannot be

ignored, for [their] significant use of technology...distracts from the main task of studying or
homework preparation and impedes students concentration on assignments (Simuforosa).

Students irresponsibly spend crucial time wandering off, when their very development is at stake

at the expense of electronic oppression.

These signs point to a disastrous problem. Like all inventions, technology is a tool for further

development of mankind. However, in stark contrast, the overexploitation of technology, the

brain's most critical growing periods restrains social, psychological, and academic development

(at the very least). Technology helps the world to explore and be connect, but if control is lost

users will fall into a trap. There is a world out there waiting to be explored. So much knowledge,

experience and growth. Take a sidestep from electronics. The step out of the 5 ounce comfort

zone and live life more abundantly.

 Works Cited

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March 02, 2017, from http://m.huffpost.com/us/entry/3343245

Simuforosa, Magwa. The impact of modern technology on the educational attainment of

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