Smartphone, the word has become a heartthrob of man, particularly the younger generation, and each whining of the smartphone is a stimulator on the veins. The smartphone has created a global revolution in telecommunications in the short time since the introduction of cellular phones in the early 90s. Smartphones have become inseparable and mandatory power of the human race in their daily life.
Like everything that has a plus and minus, negative and positive, good and bad, smartphones do their part of the sum. Every instrument, device, and gadget made possibly good purposes, and it is up to us to use it in the same way. And I think it lies in understanding the invention of the device and its use.
Smartphones are for adults, and I still believe even after the pandemic situation had become favor against my thought of kids using smartphones, for online classes, except the occasions of emergence, kids don't have any business with smartphones. A consoling thing (this time) was kids using smartphones in the right way for education rather than gaming. Though kids and games are inseparable, let whatever the purpose for you to hand over the smartphones to kids, their gaming intend is indispensable. 
image courtesy
Leaving that apart, let us move into the intention of the post that handing over the smartphones to little ones and infants. Let's say it has become a trend or newfound custom by the young mothers to feed their children by playing something on the smartphone for the little ones to watch to take a mouthful. Perhaps, smartphones are handy, and the young mothers who always hold to them entertain the child by showing something amusing on the screen to feed the stubborn instead of heading out or relying on something real for amusement.
And what this shows is their laziness or lack of time (if she's a working mother) to use smartphones this way to quickly and easily feed a baby. (The young mothers in the blog world should forgive me if I'm wrong in my perception.) The young parents see if the kids trouble them, and if so, they give away their smartphones to the kids to sit quietly in a corner to allow them to do their chores. And this is where the trouble begins.
One of my uncle's daughters, less than the age of 3, was in trouble when she allowed watching the smartphone continuously. My uncle had another baby when the elder daughter was a year and a half, and to look after the 2nd baby, they gave the smartphone to the elder and made sit quiet. Since the child keeps looking at the smartphone is not able to focus on anything other than staring and smiling only at the smartphone screen. She is still under therapy and is recovering at a good pace.
I think the young mothers feel trendy to say that they feed their child by showing smartphones. I saw a mother trying to feed her child by playing a youtube video on the phone, but the child wasn't interested, and she was forcing him against his will to play, but not on the phone. On the same line, my cousin also tried this way on my newborn nephew Jeshwanth, and we have warned her not to follow this route, and I hope she listens to us.
(My little nephew is now flipping and started to lay on his stomach. The boy began to take solid food like our traditional idly and biscuits in creamy form. His activities and naughtiness have increased, which needs a separate post to show off his actions.)
I fear smartphones would steal the children's childhood because friends and games (not online gaming or gambling) are a vital part of the period that lasts as evergreen memories of our lifetime. If they miss this chance, there isn't a chance to get back things, and the virtual world will end in a flash of great disappointment.
The children's world is big, their imagination is boundless, and it is unreasonable to shrink it with a small device called the smartphone. We should make understand kids that smartphone isn't the world, but a part of it. I agree smartphones are essential in today's online education and communication, and it is better if they stood with that for the kids.
Thank you
8 comments:
We had a friend who use to give her young son (4 years old) her smartphone to entertain him. I remember seeing him play a game on it. The tv was also on for the same reason. It makes me think, how is he doing today, 7 years later. Good post, Jeevan! Enjoy your day.
It is true that smartphones has its plus and minus. I have seen little toddlers screaming just to take hold of their parent's smartphone. Like you have said, mothers just gave their phone to their kids just to keep them quiet or to get some "me" time without thinking of the negative consequences it will bring. Young parents will have a hard time drawing a line when it comes to allowing their young kids access to their smartphone. Interesting topic. Have a wonderful day.
I agree with you about smart phones ~ not good for children especially young ones who need to see human faces and have people talk with them even if they don't speak yet ~ they comprehend long before they speak ~
Our world is too dependent on the cell phone and adults can be seen together not talking but on their cell phones ~ Glad to hear the baby is better now and hope the parents keep the cell phones away ~ Xo
Namaste ~
Living in the moment,
A ShutterBug Explores,
aka (A Creative Harbor)
Hello Jeevan,
It is sad to see all the young children and even teenagers spending some much time on their phones and devices. When I was young we played outside with all the neighborhood children. I am sure all the young parents are buys working, taking care of their children and homes. Take care, enjoy your weekend!
Very true Jeevan
Hello Jeevan, :=) This is a Smart Post, I agree with you, children should not use smartphones. When I see families, in restaurants, even on holday all looking down at their smartphones instead of speaking to one another, I am saddened by this sight.
I couldn't imagine how these younger generation would communicate face to face in the future when they become so dependant on smartphone/screen.
I have thought and thought how to answer this. My granddaughter did not play with my/any phone when real young as in toddler...but did when she got older. When we were driving...it is the note 8 and has the stylus and she could draw on it. And has her own now. But she had much rather go play in a creek, have friends over, have us over. Play board games. And she is one of the top students of her class. I don't know how this year will be, but ever since she was in 1st or 2nd grade, she has been one of the ones the teacher called on to help other students/help her.
The photos I sometimes post that she takes are photos from her phone. She is not yet a teen-ager.
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