Effects of Screen on Child Development

 

In the present age, people work with screens in almost every setting. This has expanded the virtual interaction between people more than their physical presence. A quick click can educate millions. Muslims living in non-Islamic areas can study Qur'an and Hadiths while joining online Muslim communities. While this is assuring, it is not mentally helpful because, “the most precious gift we can offer others is our presence,” as Thich Nhat Hanh wrote.

The risk of screens is a depressingly threat to children. Sitting in front of home computers, playing games while replacing other fitting activities causes risk of obesity. In young people, it increases aggressiveness, makes them insensitive, and weakens their ability to separate real life from virtual life. Terrie Moffitt (2011) associates low self-control during adolescence with substance abuse in middle adulthood. Screens are always hard to put away, it severs all social relationships. Allah (SWT) said (Qur’an, 49:10): 

“The believers are but brothers, so make reconciliation between your brothers and fear Allah that you may receive mercy.” 

Children today debate and joke confidently on the internet, they talk to strangers like a happy extrovert but in real life, they find corners when someone asks them how they are. They have friends but are always alone. “Internet is linked to increases in loneliness and depression" (Subrahmanyam, et.al., 2000) .  They create a profile of themselves that will please others and as a result lose their identity.

Screens appreciate immodesty and children fail to recognize the evil, the fitnah. Allah Subhanahu W ’Tala said (Qur’an, 24:30), 

“Say to the believing men that they should lower their stare and protect their shyness.”  

 Young girls are sexualized and fall prey to sexting and cyberbullying which is a non-stop trauma. Dr. Leonard Sax (2010)  in “Girls on Edge”  highlights that as compared to 1985 and 1975, 

“Girls today are bombarded with the notion that revealing your body is a valid means of self-expression, even a manifestation of girl power.”

Drawing from above it is clear that screens pose greater harm than benefits. Therefore children should be not exposed to media and their screen time should be carefully monitored by the parents or adults in charge.