Search

Digital devices can distort children’s learning process

Facebook
Twitter
WhatsApp
Telegram
Email

KUCHING: Dato’ Sri Fatimah Abdullah has advised parents not to use digital devices as an option to babysit their children in any circumstances. According to the Minister of Welfare, Community Wellbeing, Women and Childhood Development, the growth of children’s brain is the fastest between zero to six years old and exposure towards digital devices may distort their learning process.

Excessive exposure to the digital devices, she added, might also affect the children’s attention span, social skills and livelihood in the long run. “As we are transforming into a more digital-derived era, we must make parents aware of the need to balance the use of gadgets in bringing up our children.

“Many of us have given our children our phones, tablets or even install them on strollers, “The reason we do this is to keep them calm so that we can go about our work or chores,” said Fatimah in her speech at the launching of the first ICT and Childhood Development Seminar.

The seminar was attended by 197 participants. Instead of being exposed to the digital gadgets, children below the age of two to six years old should be given the opportunity to explore their imagination by playing outside, reading or playing with toys, added Fatimah, She quoted the resul ts of a research made by America Academy of Paediatric (AAP) in 2010 that stated that technology had an adverse effect on the cognitive and social skills of preschoolers.

“The usage of gadgets and Internet should be restricted and filtered from any activity on screen for those below two years old. Those who are two and above should only spend two hours the most in a day with their gadgets if they must,” said the Minister.

Download from Apple Store or Play Store.