In America today, owning a mobile phone is not only common, it has become the absolute normative. In fact, they are so popular that over 90% of American adults own a mobile phone, among which the vast majority own a Smartphone (Smith). Unlike their predecessor, Smartphones are not limited to simply voice based communication. They are instead a wealth of limitless information and entertainment, available all at one’s fingertips. While all of this is extremely convenient, they are also a source of distraction which is leading to more than just rude behavior; it is beginning to have an effect on the physical safety and mental health of children. Among these Smartphone users, many are the parents of young children. However, even with this enormous responsibility, there is seemingly no reduction in the number of daily hours spent on their Smartphones texting, emailing or browsing online (Smith). For many parents, the belief is that they are capable of multitask, using their Smartphone and still providing ample care for their children. The truth is though, these actions are leading to distracted and disengaged parenting and the danger it causes to children could be more than just emotionally damaging, they could be deadly.
In an observational study of 62 separate families with 2 year old children, it was revealed that 67% of injuries occurred at times when the caregiver was not directly supervising or was only occasionally listening. Conversely, when full attention was maintained by the parents, only an average of 10% injuries occurred (Worthen). The ease by which the aforementioned type of distraction occurs, coupled with the increases in Smartphone owners, has many emergency room Doctors, researchers, and psychologist alike speculati...
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...nding them out, only finally looking up when she accidently dropped her phone. According to Abdul-Hakeem’s statements, she believed about 20 seconds time had passed since she had looked at the child, in reality, it had been 3 minutes (Worthen). The distraction from a Smartphone quickly resulted in complete unintentional disregard for the safety and wellbeing of this child, and although the child is the example did survive, many do not.
Works Cited
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"Mobile Technology Fact Sheet." Pew Research Centers Internet Project. Pew Research
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Pidd, H. 2013. Hamzah Khan: the harrowing story of an 'invisible' child. The Guardian. [Online]. 3 October. [Accessed 13 October 2013]. Available from: http://www.theguardian.com/society/2013/oct/03/hamzah-khan-amanda-hutton-starving-death
Morrongiello, B. A., Corbett, M., McCourt, M., & Johnston, N. (2006). Understanding unintentional injury risk in young children: the nature and scope of caregiver supervision of children at home. Journal of Pediatric Psychology, 31 (6), 529-539. Studer, J. R. (2006). The.
Parenting has become a challenge for the 21st century modern world and with so many technological advancements parents have started relying on High-Tech gadgets to stay connected with their kids. Interest and demand of using technology by parents to monitor their kids are increasing all around the world. As pointed out in the article “More Parents Going High-Tech to Track Kids” by Martha Irvine, how technology is helping parents track their kids’ location, how fast they were driving, and what they buy or eat. Even though these devices are helpful to parents, but they may be dangerous to the kids in many ways and that's why parents should be extra careful on its use.
Parents can be spending just as much time on their technology, and could even be ignoring their children. They could be working all day and come home to look at their computer or phone all night. Even if they are doing work, they are ignoring their family and the effects are showing. Parents do not have the connection with their children that they once did. In the article, "Is Technology Ruining the Family," the author discusses the effect cell phones have had.
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Maffei, M. (2012). 5 Reasons why your kids should have cell phones Michelle Maffei. Retrieved
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Edgington, Shawn Marie. The Parent's Guide to Texting, Facebook, and Social Media: Understanding the Benefits and Dangers of Parenting in a Digital World. Dallas, TX: Brown Pub., 2011. 6. Print.
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