The Danger of Tech Gadgets to Youngsters
Nowadays, many children around the world use gadgets at an early age and are exposed
to risks. A study found that 65% of children started using electronic devices before they turned
three. Lack of parental control and misuse of these devices open the gates for children to be
introduced to digital dangers. Children worldwide must have a safe environment and be kept
from the detrimental effects of technology.
With gadgets on hand, children enter social media and frequently experience
cyberbullying. According to the Pew Research center, 46% half of teens have ever experienced
cyberbullying, with offensive name-calling and appearance being seen as a relatively common
reasons. From ages 13 to 17, 32% of teens have been called an offensive name, 22% have had
false rumors circulated about them, 17% received explicit images they didn’t ask for, 15%
constantly frequently questioned about their whereabouts and activities, and 10% have
experienced direct face threats.
In addition, tons of children can also be targeted by online predators through social media
or online games. In fact, a YouTuber named Coby Persin conducted a social experiment by
creating an account on Facebook and impersonating a teenager. Coby talked to three girls, ages
12, 13, and 14, for four days and decided to meet with them. He also negotiates with the parents
before he does such an act. The results shocked everyone as all the girls agreed to meet him at
their homes. In the end, the parents discovered the disturbing fact that pedophiles could easily
make their way to children.
We can't deny that kids have open access to pornography websites. A quarter of 16-21year-olds first saw pornography online during primary school. By the age of 13, 50% had been
exposed to it, according to British Broadcasting Corporation News. Moreover, a 12-year-old girl
told Dame Rachel, a children's commissioner for England, that her boyfriend strangled her
during their first kiss since it is what he learned from watching porn videos and thought it was
normal.
Nevertheless, some people think gadgets are excellent for kids because they promote
independent learning, share the latest trends on trending topics, and interact with individuals with
similar interests. Parents give their children phones to easily get in touch with them. In reality,
youngsters may unintentionally come across online pornography while doing their schoolwork,
cyberbullying happens everywhere, child grooming is a significant concern that happens always
online, etc. Additionally, some parents don’t monitor or limit their kids with technology allowing
them to spend a lot of time in front of the screen.
In conclusion, children shouldn’t be exposed to gadgets without proper parental
guidance. Alan Moore once said, “Technology is always a two-edged sword. It will bring in
many benefits, but also many disasters”. It is no doubt that all of us benefit from gadgets, but if
we are unaware of their use and their bad sides, we might face the dark side of Technology. If
you want to use something, do your best to have control over it and sufficient knowledge of what
it does.