Screen Technology's Impact on Cognitive Development

940 Words2 Pages

With the innumerable technological leaps, screen technology has permeated all aspects of life including education and entertainment. The effects of which on cognition have and continue to be widely contentious. This essay will outline the positive and negative influences of screen technology on cognitive development and will evaluate the debate proving that the improvement of intelligence is positively related to the use of screen technology by examining the influence of neuroplasticity.
OR
With the leaps technology has made, people’s reliance on screen technology has become so prevalent that it permeates all aspects of life such as education and entertainment. Some scholars argue that screen technology positively affects cognitive skills whereas …show more content…

McClellan’s (2005) article reports that according to Johnson’s study, computer games are essentially brain exercises that improve the psychological fitness holistically because they require continuous focus, strategic decision-making, and creative thinking. Video games, another form of screen technology, have also been found to improve these aspects which are important as children often find gaming fun and this must be utilised productively to aid the development of cognition / mental acumen. An example of this would be Assassin’s Creed, alternate versions of history role playing game, which develops spatial skills, strategic thinking, and executive …show more content…

As a consequence of the pervasive usage of screen technology, cognition has been affected because of the influence of neuroplasticity. Abbott (2013) and McClellan (2005) found that screen technology improved the holistic intellectual capacity through the advancement of cognitive skills such as multitasking, spatial ability, strategic decisiveness, and many others whereas Swing et al. (2010) Carr and (2010) observes that it degenerates attention spans and in-depth thinking. Overall, although some scholars argue that deterioration of cognitive function is due to screen technology exposure, it must be acknowledged that the positive correlation between screen technology exposure and the progression of cognizance outweighs the negatives because with the appropriate and sufficient utilisation of screen technology for cognitive development, the advantages will eclipse any disadvantages that could

Show More
Related

  • Digital Natives and Immigrants: What Brain Research Tells Us' by Nancy K. Herther

    1019 Words  | 3 Pages

    The author claims that the working of a human brain is deeply affected by the technological advances of the current age. Closely administered behavior of Digital Natives reveals that they have sharper cognitive skills as compared to the Digital Immigrants of the previous generation. She begins by quoting Palfrey and Gasser as her counter-argument, who acknowledge the difference between the current and previous generations, thus: “These kids are different. They study, work, write and interact with each other in ways that are very different from the ways that you di...

    Read More

  • Clive Thompsons

    810 Words  | 2 Pages

    Throughout our everyday lives whether we think about it or not. Computers and technology are and have been an integral part of our lives. Computers and technology assist us with so much, such as the way we drive and the way we learn. We no longer have to deal with the hassle of driving stick and we no longer have to be in a physical classroom with the advent of online education. In Clive Thompsons’ essay “Smarter than you think how technology is changing our minds for the better,” he discusses how the ever changing capacity of technology improves the mental cognition of human beings.

    Read More

  • Brain Candy By Steven Johnson Analysis

    1164 Words  | 3 Pages

    Video games do not make us more intelligent. They may however, make us more prone to violence and sex. Video games are preventing us from screening out distractions and making thinking deeply a difficult task. Our brains become overwhelmed when multitasking. Moreover, Johnson states “... a modern video game can take forty hours to complete”. Forty hours keep kids from homework and as Rachael Rettner states in livescience, “The results show that boys given a PlayStation II are slower to progress in their reading and writing skills and have more learning problems reported by their teachers than those not given a system”. The sole reason studies come back positive for video games being productive is due to the fact that they test a regular video gamer with a non-gamer. Regular video gamers will do better in the study because the more they play, the better they get. Not many realize the effect of these “fully realized imaginary worlds”, it is making it harder for people to differentiate their virtual life with their real

    Read More

  • Nicholas Carr's In the Shallows

    1093 Words  | 3 Pages

    The growing presence of technology is going to become more and more prevalent in the future as technology continues to evolve. If Carr is right, then we are going to see the continuous deterioration of critical thinking skills in future generations. However, we may also see a rise in more technological advances that will help society function better. Overall, this book was mainly concerned with the effects that new information and communication technologies will have on the brain.

    Read More

  • Essay On Outliers By Malcolm Gladwell

    1511 Words  | 4 Pages

    When Christopher Langan’s brother is explaining why Chris did not succeed in school, he says that, “The issue with Chris is that he was always too bored to actually sit there and listen to his teachers” (Gladwell 110). A problem that exists is that students are having trouble concentrating in school and paying attention. These students are more amused by all the technology that could be used instead of paying attention, and they feel that it would help them and entertain them more than listening to teachers talk. This trouble concentrating is also noticeable when employees at work think that because of technology, they do not have to think and remember as much information because they can just look it up or type it in on their phones or tablets to remember it. This may eventually lead to a disadvantage when finding other jobs and achieving the American Dream because the other companies may not use the technology that some people are so used to using.

    Read More

  • How Smartphones Hijack Our Minds By Nicholas Carr

    865 Words  | 2 Pages

    Most people believe that the web will increase their intelligence and with a smartphone knowledge is at the tips of their fingers; however, this is not exactly true. Research suggests that easier access to information reduces mental

    Read More

  • Persuasive Essay On The Shallows

    551 Words  | 2 Pages

    From communicating with one another to researching for an essay, these high-tech gadgets are constantly being used. Unfortunately this is slowly becoming a danger to the human mind and an individual's ability to carry out simple tasks. This can be shown through the examples in Carr’s novel. He states multiple times that technology is damaging the brain and is struggling to do the simple tasks it should be able to do. Through his multiple examples, it is clear that technology is hurting us because we can no longer contemplate, concentrate, remember certain details, and more. Although, we cannot avoid using technology, we should be mindful of how often we use

    Read More

  • Informative Essay On Technology And The Brain

    1401 Words  | 3 Pages

    Technology and the Brain As a college student, using the internet and technology is a daily task. Everything you need for your classes: schedules, homework, quizzes, and even tests are all online. The debate on technology and the brain suggests that technology may have an effect on the brain, effect multi-tasking, and cause addiction. Brain Activity

    Read More

  • Screen Time in America

    1163 Words  | 3 Pages

    Television, or screen time, has become a large part of today's society. Whether it's by way of smart-phones, a television, a computer, or a tablet, screen time has negative effects on the cognitive ability of children and adolescents. It has even been proven that it can lead to Alzheimer's disease when a person, in the age range of 20-60 years old, views an hour more than the recommended amount of screen time a day (Sigman 14). In children, the amount of screen time viewed has a relationship with the likelihood of developing a deficit in his attention span; the longer a child views screen time, the more likely he is to be diagnosed with an attention disorder. Screen time, or television, can cause attention disorders and other problem with cognitive abilities in children and adolescents that effect the education they can comprehend.

    Read More

  • The Negative Effects Of Screen Technology On Cognitive Development

    1101 Words  | 3 Pages

    Abbott (2013) and McClellan (2005) report that screen technology improved the holistic intellectual capacity through the advancement of cognitive skills such as multitasking, spatial ability, strategic decisiveness, and many others, whereas Swing et al. (2010) and Carr (2010) observes that it degenerates attention spans and in-depth thinking which reflects unfavourably on intellectual civilisations. The problem with this notion is that it completely disregards the potential advantages it could bring such as the increase in the observation of patterns and multitasking capacity. On the other hand, screen technology does overburden the mind. Overall, although some scholars argue that the deterioration of cognitive function is due to screen technology exposure, the positive correlation between screen technology exposure and the progression of cognizance must be acknowledged. Screen technology improves the overall intellectual capacity of individuals through multitasking, logic, coordination, and many others. With the appropriate and sufficient utilisation of screen technology for cognitive development, the advantages will eclipse any disadvantages that could arise. Additionally, more longitudinal research on how screen technology through the influence of neuroplasticity must be conducted. For example, the use of screen technology could be harnessed for the recovery of cognitive function in those with disabilities, diseases or

    Read More

  • How Technology Effects Children

    3455 Words  | 7 Pages

    In today’s society we are overwhelmed with technology. Technology is changing everyday, and will forever be a staple in our lives. The effect that technology has on our children has brought on some concerns and some praises. Children these days have no choice but to some how be influenced by the ever growing technology in our societies. Our common concern has been that although digital technology has boosted children’s talent for multitasking, their ability to process information deeply may be deteriorating (Carpenter, 2010). Many people have a wide range of opinions on if technology is having a positive influence on our children or a negative, there is a vast amount of evidence to support both of these arguments. Technology can refer to so many things, but there are three main parts of technology that are having the greatest effects on our children: video games, television/media, and computers. The modern technologies we have today are so powerful because they attract our genetic biases, that the human brain has a tremendous love for visually presented information. Video games, television, movies and computer programs are all very visually oriented and therefore they attract and keep the attention of children easily.

    Read More

  • Video Games as a Learning Tool

    1461 Words  | 3 Pages

    There are several negative stereotypes associated with video games and those who play them; some of these may often hold true. However, there are plenty of learning opportunities in video games. While the direct purpose of some games is to educate or train, other games that do not directly have this purpose can still become a learning experience for the player. As Ntiedo Etuk, president of the educational video game company Tabula Digital said, “The traditional view of video games has been that they are distractions from the task of learning” (Electronic Education Report 1). Video games are an effective tool for learning and retaining skills both inside and outside the classroom environment. The basic cycle of game play--the introduction to the game, game play, collaboration, improvement of these between each round, and evaluation at the end of the game (Klievink and Janssen 159)--are nearly parallel to the traditional classroom learning cycle of reading a textbook or listening to a lecture, taking a quiz, studying, focusing on items missed on the quiz, and taking a test or exam. Within this cycle, there are many opportunities to develop and perfect both educational, life, and occupational skills.

    Read More

  • Benefits of Playing Video Games

    1776 Words  | 4 Pages

    "Video game play may provide learning, health, social benefits." American Psychological Association. February 2014, Vol 45, No. 2

    Read More

  • Is Electronic Media Beneficial in Children’s Education?

    1411 Words  | 3 Pages

    Over the last decades, it is generally realized that the educational technology has developed dramatically. Electronic media has benefitted the system of education in an enormous way. Electronic media is the media which uses electronics or electromechanical energy for the audience to access the content. Video recording, audio recording, multimedia presentations, CD-ROM and online content are all forms of electronic media and any equipment used in electronic communication process such as radio, television, desktop computers, laptops, electronic whiteboards, and electronic textbooks is also considered as electronic media. Education has become far more convenient as internet and social media had provided a vast opportunity to access as much knowledge as one can. From generation to generation, education remains as the essential part of a child life. To enhance the learning techniques and cognitive skills of a child electronic media play a vital role. But the valuable side of electronic media also meets some hazardous effects such as social isolation, obesity and eating disorder. Therefore, the essay argues that the advantage of using electronic media in children education outweighs the negative impact. The reasons for consideration are the recent development in multimedia technologies which benefits a child in developing cognitive skills, creative thinking, motivation and enhancing emotional understanding.

    Read More

  • Technology Distractions

    1044 Words  | 3 Pages

    Our brain is the most complex structure in the universe, but it can be distracted easily. There are so many things out there that could distract our brain. We are living in the world where mostly everything involved technology in one way or another. Many students are distracted by technology which affect their school work in a negative way. Students are always on top of today technology. They want the latest model phone and tablet. Students can get distracted when their devices buzz and beep constantly. They can’t focus on what they should be focus in which are school work. Richtel claims that “Several recent studies show that young people tend to use home computers for entertainment, not learning and that this can hurt school performance, particularly in low-income families. Jacob L. Vigdor, an economics professor at Duke University who led some of the research, said that when adults were not supervising computer use, children “are left to their own devices, and the impetus isn’t to do homework but play around.” Research also shows that students often juggle homework and entertainment. The Kaiser Family Foundation found earlier this year that half of students from 8 to 18 are using the Internet, watching TV or using some other form of media either “most” (31 percent) or “some” (25 percent) of the time that they are doing homework”. It is impossible for parents to monitor what their children are doing on

    Read More

More about Screen Technology's Impact on Cognitive Development

Open Document