Team B Debate Team

e Sunday Telegraph reports a survey of more than half a million children reveals technology is counter-productive in improving student achievement.

It found that introducing children to computers from 10 years of age could have a detrimental effect and was associated with "modest but statistically significant and persistent negative impacts on student maths and reading test scores".

many of them are in no way – even remotely in some cases – equally skillful/competent in basic reading/comprehension; the world of literature seems completely lost and a novelty to many.

They struggle to read a sentence, cannot pronounce very simple words, so that the task of reading becomes a drudge, a painful and un-pleasurable activity.

In fact, the effect of their inventions/devices has had some negative influences on our young people.

Even though many people will argue that technology helps them keep in touch with loved ones easier, there still seems to be a breakdown in social connection. Yes, you can email your family often and text your daughter to see if she is home from school all while you are sitting in a meeting at work. But this is your immediate social support system. Your community is composed of individuals who live in your town. Your relations within your community are extended social support. However, it seems like there has been a gradual breakdown of interest in developing relationships with neighbors, or those you see on the streets everyday.

"The downside is, our face-to-face human contact skills; looking someone on the eye, noticing the emotional expression on a face; those neural wires are weakening," Small said.

Does the amount of TV viewing affect literacy and learning?  The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends a limit of 10 hours a week, and no TV for children under age 2.  Mr. Trelease states that research findings show that school-age children, who watched up to 10 hours a week of TV showed no detrimental effects on learning.  BUT, for children who watched more than that – scores began to decline (and the average student today watches three times that amount). 

Let’s take a look at the top 4 ways that overuse of technology has influenced our children in an adverse manner:

1. Elevated Exasperation

2. Deteriorated Patience

Cellphone texting and social networking on Internet sites are degrading writing skills, say even experts in the field.