According to Sociologist Ellis Cashmore's new book, Screen Society, prohibiting children to access Internet is equivalent to child abuse. We asked the pedagogues, the experts of the subject: How does the prohibitive behaviors affect children?
Ellis Cashmore, a Professor of Sociology at the Aston University in Birmingham, collaborated with researchers from Teeside University and the University of South Australia to review their habits with over 2,000 Internet users. According to the research, the results of which are announced in June, in contrast to some scientific studies revealing that technology causes depression and mental health problems, the Internet has a positive impact on people’s lives.
The definition of the Internet and technology addiction is done as follows: The need to postpone and not fulfilling self-care needs. However, according to this new research, long-term use of Internet and technology has no negative effects such as depression or shortening of attention span. The research argues that the pleasure that one receives when using these tools is undeniable and, people do not postpone their basic needs.
Of course there are drawbacks, but technology has become the way we know the world. There is a risk that habits like eating chocolate or watching a series can turn into addictions” says Ellis Cashmore, who states that socializing on the phone doesn’t mean being antisocial, it is just a different form of socialization. She also adds “We deprive children of many social, educational and fun activities that will contribute to them in the future by banning them from the Internet”.
“Children may develop attention disorders, tics and alienation”
Pedagog Aykut Akova stated that the length of the time spent in front of the computer shortens the time spent with family and friends and shares: “That children spend 7 to 8 hours on the Internet means that they allocate little time for social activity and interactions. Children who spend time with their computer, tablet or phone for a long time may develop attention disorders, tics and alienation.”
Akova draws attention to the time restriction on the Internet: Limit the time spent on the Internet rather than completely limiting it would be the best option for the parents. It is also important that families monitor the games their children play and the sites they visit. The child should not be left alone or uncontrolled when they’re engaged with their computer or tablets.
According to Akova, apart from the time spent on the Internet, directing children to sports and artistic activities where they will have the opportunity to socialize helps children get involved in real life.
Limiting time instead of banning
Pedagog Öznur Simav explains the effects of the Internet use on people: If a person is alone, spending time on the Internet opens a vast door; It can affect mental health positively. For people who are afraid of face to face communication, communication over the Internet is a good opportunity. One can express himself better in writing on social media, but if s/he uses the Internet in an interdependent manner, s/he will might block the other activities.
Simav emphasizes the importance of using the Internet wisely and points out the necessity of face-to-face communication and says: “Face-to-face communication is more important than expected. Expressing our feelings with facial expressions, gestures and facial muscles is very effective in interpersonal communication”.
It may be important for children to develop a common language depending on the age group, watching the same series or programs, linking children to each other. They can discuss many related programs. In this sense, Simav points out that such an interaction and communication on the Internet cannot be the same and that prolonged use of Internet in passive situations negatively affects children's language, cognitive, sensory, motor and physical development.
Simav said that especially in the long term Internet use, children will be affected and cannot be expected to show the same attention for the mandatory tasks and responsibilities in their lives.
Recently, Simav said that children have witnessed situations such as not understanding each other's emotions, making no results from people's facial expressions, not being able to predict how bad words will affect each other. Simav also recommends a time limit to avoid addiction: If parents present it as an activity with a time limit rather than prohibiting it, the relationship between them and the child will be intact.”
