Bad Impacts of Smartphones on Children
A smartphone is a portable device that combines mobile telephone and computing Functions into one unit. They are distinguished from feature phones by their stronger hardware capabilities and extensive mobile operating systems, which facilitate wider software, internet (including web browsing over mobile broadband), and multimedia functionality (including music, video, cameras, and gaming), alongside core phone functions such as voice calls and text messaging. In our part of the world it is learnt that Around 23.8 per cent of children use smartphones while they are in bed before going to sleep and 37.15 per cent of children have experienced reduced levels of concentration due to smartphone use as per a study, Parliament was informed few days back.
Minister of State for Electronics and IT Rajeev Chandrasekhar told the Lok Sabha in a written reply that the Meity does not have any specific information on Internet addiction in children but cited data from a study done by National Commission for Protection of Child Rights on “Effects (Physical, Behavioral and Psycho-Social) of using Mobile Phones and other devices with internet accessibility by children”.
“As per the study, 23.80 per cent of children use smartphones while they are in bed, before going to sleep which increases with age and 37.15 percent of children, always or frequently, experience reduced levels of concentration due to smartphone use,” Chandrasekhar said.We need to bear in mind that in the new era, the children are exposed to technology at younger ages than ever before. There are different types of radiations generated by mobile phones and wireless devices, microwave radiations, ionizing and non-ionizing radiations. Ionizing radiations such as x-rays, radon, ultraviolet rays of sunlight all are high frequency, and high energy. Non-ionizing radiations are low in frequency and energy. Cell phones have non-ionizing radiations. Mobile phones send radio-frequency waves from its transmitting unit or antenna to nearby cell towers. When we make or receive a call, send or receive text, or use data, our phone receives radio-frequency waves to its antenna from cell towers.The need of the hour is to minimize the bad impacts of smartphones on Children Development.