In this article, we will discuss “How has Technology Affected Families both Positively and Negatively?” in detail. Keep reading and leave a comment in case of any question/response.
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Almost every aspect of our society has been affected by technological advances. It is making a significant difference in how parents and children perceive the world and one another.
What impact does technology have on family time?
While it may be possible to highlight how technology is breaking down barriers between parents and children, the other side is almost creating a family rift. Today, most of the technologies we use have evolved from merely a ‘want’ to a ‘necessity’ in our lives.
Over the years, technology has moved from simple computer gaming, SMS, chatting, or emails to assignment completion tools and video calls. As a parent, this has become a more challenging task than ever.
How has Technology Affected Families both Positively and Negatively?
Let’s take a look at how technology has affected our families, both positively and negatively.
Let’s begin with the positive effects of technology on family life.
Positive impacts of technology:
It appears that mobile phones can help busy families who are stressed by work schedules, commuting, and multiple after-school activities stay connected during the day and maintain and strengthen family relationships.
According to the majority of families, technology allows them to communicate more effectively and thus get to know one another better. When children and their parents are separated, mobile communication makes it possible for them to stay in touch at any time.
Take a look at some of the positive effects of technology on family relationships and life:
1. Coordinate change of plans:
The family didn’t have to be informed if the day’s plans changed in the early days. Should one not be able to attend a function, movie, or dinner out, one should notify them immediately.
The technology now makes it possible to change plans with just a message or a phone call. When kids stay late at school for extra classes, they don’t have to worry about their parents.
Earlier, families took the hassle of traveling and informing the hosts when plans changed or if they kept them uninformed. There was a large wastage of energy, time, and effort for the hosts and invitees.
Fortunately, technology has allowed us to coordinate a change of plans over the phone! Using a party-planning app such as Pro Party Planner, you can bring your family together and sync it across multiple users from importing guests lists to delegating tasks to give reminders.
Using this app, you no longer need to go through massive email threads.
2. Reach family in trouble:
It is very helpful if the family is having difficulty reaching them if they are using location tracking.
During their journey, kids may encounter some mishaps, and location tracking allows parents to locate them as soon as possible.
Additionally, this is giving kids a lot of confidence to travel around and do things independently without having to fear being alone.
Technology is allowing kids to become independent individuals without having to depend on parents for everything.
The distance can have profound effects, and tracking a family member’s location in case of an emergency can be of great assistance. Location tracking allows parents to teach their children as soon as possible if they encounter any mishaps on their way.
When using video calling options, you can virtually see the person when talking even if they are overseas. Additionally, students and professionals can study online and find jobs online as well as work from home.
The Internet makes it easier for people to find a life partner through dating websites or matrimonial websites. I am also fascinated by how someone can find a long-lost friend through social networking sites and reestablish contact with them.
3. Interaction with family groups:
One of the new features in messaging apps is the ability to set up family groups so one can remain in touch with family members no matter where they are located.
Family members who live far away now communicate through social networking groups rather than interacting only at special events, birthdays, and weddings.
In addition to interacting only at special events, such as birthdays or weddings, families are now more connected through social media.
New messaging apps offer options for setting up family groups so that family members can communicate regardless of their location. You can now share an experience with your family by listening to a podcast, digitizing your old home movies, capturing new memories, and even sharing them on social media.
4. Home security systems:
Having modern security systems at home has led to a greater sense of peace among families. During situations such as robbery or a fire, the emergency alarms and the quick response options enable the police or the relevant authorities to arrive at the scene.
Feeling safe and secure about the people and possessions in your home gives you a better night’s sleep.
At the time of a robbery or a fire, the emergency alarms and the quick response options help to summon the police or the appropriate authority. The safety within the home has become more secure with modern security systems.
5. Parents engaging apps in school:
It is difficult for most parents to make a school visit due to their busy work schedules. Parents’ engaging apps have provided the solution as they can virtually be present on campus while their children are participating in class. Their relationship with teachers can be maintained through communication apps and school portals, and they can learn more about how their child is doing.
It is often difficult for parents to visit the school due to their busy work schedules. Parents’ engaging apps have come to the rescue during their child’s activities on campus. Communication apps and school portals allow them to maintain a good relationship with teachers and monitor their children’s progress.
6. Virtual presence with a video call:
Parents are sometimes too protective of their children and won’t allow them to be away from them. The video call option, however, allows a person to virtually be present when you talk.
Even if your career requires you to travel abroad or to distant places, one can still maintain close contact with the family with daily video calls.
7. It entertains you:
Instead of going to the theater after dinner, make some popcorn and watch a movie at home instead.
You can watch almost any title you can imagine via video streaming services, and devices like Roku and gaming consoles let you watch movies on your television’s big screen.
With a game of Heads Up, an app for your phone or tablet, your kids will be jumping up and down in no time.
8. Simplifies household management:
Getting things delivered to our doorstep has revolutionized our shopping experience and made life easier. With technology, we can enjoy our consumer journey smoothly and save time.
We have simplified matters with fast and efficient methods of purchasing, such as cashless and one-touch payments.
Additionally, parents are using mobile apps to track their budgets and manage their family schedules. It is especially convenient for those whose busy lifestyles prevent them from shopping regularly.
Online shopping allows you to buy the products you need in a couple of clicks, rather than spending hours browsing through multiple stores.
As a result, families have been able to stay together safely during Covid-19 emergencies due to the availability of online services.
9. Aids education of kids:
We can now get any kind of information with fewer hassles thanks to the internet age. Today, parents find it easier to care for their children because of the abundance of information available online.
You don’t have to worry about having an accident or predicament because online experts can help.
Children’s learning through technology has improved and made parents’ lives easier.
Rather than memorizing facts, technology has made learning more engaging and collaborative for kids. Assistive technology enables kids with learning disabilities to compensate for certain impairments.
As a result, independence is promoted and another support is reduced. Rehabilitation and assistive technology have made it possible for individuals to care for themselves and their families.
10. Significance in lifestyle:
During the present age, technology has become a significant part of human life and has had an impact on our daily lives.
Technology has become a part of almost every aspect of our society. The way that technology has influenced the way people relate to each other, and how we understand one another, is quite apparent in the 21st century.
At the moment, technology has made work easier and reduced the amount of stress and effort.
Now it is time to understand the negative consequences of the technology we use today, which only happen because of their misuse.
Negative impacts of technology:
The rise of technology has completely transformed family life during the past few generations. Families spend so little time together because everyone is so busy with work, school, and extracurricular activities.
There is a point where parents and children are emailing and texting more than they are talking to each other, even when they are at home together.
There is a lot of communication but not much conversation and more texts. Children need more face-to-face interaction with their parents.
Take a look at the negative impacts of technology on family life here:
1. Too much screen time:
Almost every household has a screen that its members are most likely to use. If there are four people in the house, each of them will have a screen.
At the end of the day, after office and school, parents and children should interact with each other. Through it, a personal bond can be maintained, as well as empathy for the apprehensions of others fostered.
Another study examined the relationship between video games and the decline of reading skills among 6 to 9-year-old boys.
Although the boys didn’t seem to have any underlying reading problems, researchers speculate that their desire to play video games just exceeded the amount of time they devoted to reading and writing, which affected their abilities.
2. Lack of quality time:
Spending quality time with your family is important. Nowadays, even when parents pretend to play with their children or share family moments, emails and chatting take up half their attention.
We recommend turning off your devices for at least an hour or two and spending some quality time together. One of the main reasons for many relationships failing is the habit of bringing work home. This compromises time for intimacy.
Nobody pays more than half their attention to their personal screens, no matter what time it is. The children raised in such an environment suffer from a significant drop in their professional performance.
To foster a strong bond among family members, parents and children should interact when they return home at the end of the day after their busy schedules.
3. Poor face-to-face interaction:
Communication has changed dramatically from face-to-face to merely chatting today, just like face-to-face. As children use screens most of the time, they will have limited experience of proper interaction with humans when they grow up, which can lead to a loss of confidence.
Having been raised in such an environment can adversely affect a child’s professional performance.
4. Interrupted family time:
Having a good bonding experience with family members starts with sharing at least a meal together. Everyone rushes to make it in time for school and work during the morning breakfast.
The dinner time is also interrupted by technology, with people eating after they have finished chatting or working. Regardless of when they are having dinner, everyone will be glued to their personal screens.
5. Limited outdoor activities:
The detrimental lifestyle combined with unhealthy eating habits and lack of exercise is the primary cause of most of the problems.
There has been a real impact of technology on changing the way people live their lives. Since people are engrossed with their gadgets, they have no time to enjoy outdoor activities.
There are serious health concerns related to sedentary lifestyles for people of all ages. When it comes to junk food, kitchens and cooking are rare sights.
The problem of unhealthy eating is exacerbated by the fact that children prefer computer games over outdoor games.
Sedentary lifestyles are causing serious health problems for people of all ages. A call to get junk food has resulted in cooking becoming a rarity.
Children today are so absorbed in gadgets and computer games that they rarely go outside to play.
6. Setting the wrong example:
Children are encouraged to play outside, but their parents sit inside with their screens while they advise them to go outside.
Children will not follow their parents if they do not practice what they preach. Good examples are essential when teaching kids.
Families sit in front of their screens at home and tell their children to go play outside. By setting an example, parents can help their children learn. If parents do not follow their own advice, their children will not do so either.
7. Leading to divorce and loss of jobs:
In a debate on internet addiction, some people assert that some websites lead to cheating on others, which often leads to divorce. Using banned websites at work that undermine their professional standing has also led to people being fired from their jobs or being put under pressure.
8. Negative effects of television on family life:
A family simply sits and eats what is served to them without responding to other family members sitting with them.
In addition, children exposed to violence and sex often mimic these behaviors and many lives are destroyed as a consequence.
There is a social revolution on the brink due to the proliferation of technologies that are able to overcome the barriers of time and space, such as airplanes, cars, and the Internet.
The parents can guide their kids in enjoying life properly by weighing the pros and cons of technology. It would be a wise decision to integrate the right mix of technology into your family life and enjoy both.
The schools are also recognizing the negative impacts of technology and taking the children outside of the four walls of the classroom to interact with nature.
Today, technology has enabled us to access information about anything at the touch of a button. Despite the fact that technology has improved the quality of life, families should never compromise on human values in the process.
9. Effect on family socialization:
Using technology inappropriately by family members negatively affects family socialization. Family socialization is critical because it builds a stronger bond, teaches each member about their values, norms, and beliefs, and allows them to realize the support and guidance they have throughout their lives.
An individual’s family is the most important part of his or her life. One will suffer later in life if they believe in spending more time with artificial intelligence than with their family because they believe technology is cooler than their family and can help them gain more freedom and independence.
Throughout their lives, they will experience a lack of love, support, and guidance, especially during difficult times.
10. A Less Empathetic Generation:
As children grow up in a family, they learn the give and take of society. Like, how to interact with others, how to value the individual and the group, and how to communicate.
In the age of technology, parents run the risk of raising a generation that is unable to relate to others due to an overabundance of technology.
Children who have unlimited access to gaming, computers, and TV may not experience enough interpersonal face-to-face interaction to develop their social skills.
In an article by The Wall Street Journal, silence fluency is described as the ability to read body language, tone of voice, and facial expressions. In contrast to face-to-face or phone conversations, E-mail and texts do not convey empathy, tone, or subtext.
There is a risk that the digital generation may lose their silent fluency abilities while the effects are still being quantified.
A well-known psychologist has studied the psychology of Facebook interaction and believes that while it can be useful for introverted kids to practice talking to their peers, it does not substitute for real-life interaction.
According to him, “Our study showed that real-world empathy is more important for a sense of social support.” However, those with more virtual empathy did feel more supported, but the impact was less than those with more real-world empathy.
Important PDF Files:
Some visitors asked for pdf files, so I am uploading them here.
How has Technology Affected Families both Positively and Negatively PDF | Download PDF File |
Negative Effects of Technology on Family Life PDF | Download PDF File |
Conclusion on Positive and Negative Effects of Technology On Families:
Adding the right mix of technology to your family will allow you to enjoy both aspects at the same time. We have a duty to use technology responsibly since it was invented for the good of mankind.
When parents weigh the pros and cons of technology, they can guide their kids to live fulfilling lives. Schools are noticing the negative effects of overusing technology and taking children out of the four walls of the classroom to interact with nature.
Our lives have become much easier thanks to technology, as information on anything under the sun is at our fingertips. We should understand, however, that even when technology makes living better, we should not compromise human values.
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