KIDS THESE DAYS ! IT SEEMS LIKE THEY ’ RE GROWING UP FASTER THAN WE DID WHEN WE WERE THEIR AGE . WHILE THERE ARE MANY REASONS FOR THIS , SUCH AS INCREASED ACADEMIC DEMANDS , THE MEDIA TARGETING YOUNGER AGE GROUPS , AND ABSENTEE PARENTS , THE MAIN CULPRIT APPEARS TO BE TECHNOLOGY ; MORE SPECIFICALLY , THE INTERNET AND SOCIAL MEDIA . BUT WHAT WE OFTEN OVERLOOK IS THAT BEING MORE ADEPT WITH TECHNOLOGY DOESN ’ T NECESSARILY EQUATE TO “ GROWING UP .” THE INFLUENCE TECHNOLOGY HAS ON OUR CHILDREN ’ S MATURITY IS FAR MORE COMPLICATED THAN THAT .

sually , we view maturity as something positive that is part of their brains responsible for impulse control is still not often measured by milestones . When our kids learn fully developed , they ’ re rarely able to stop and think about to walk or learn to dress themselves , they are displaying physical maturity . Getting along with others and harmful situations , like kids sending each other nude selfies

the potential consequences of their actions . This can result in

engaging in cooperative play is a mark of social maturity . and getting bullied or shamed because of it , engaging in When kids start to understand abstract concepts and consequences , they ’ re becoming more intellectually mature , and to get views on social media .

sexual behaviors , or hurting other people or animals in order

when they ’ re able to acknowledge mistakes and recognize Empathy , another aspect of emotional maturity , also when they ’ ve done something wrong , they ’ re honing their suffers . The act of doing extreme things in order to garner moral maturity . All of these different facets of maturity take more likes and views means that kids are exposed to a lot time to develop , which brings us back to technology ’ s role . more shocking material than their parents were as kids . This

Before they leave for college , children will have spent an leads to a general desensitization , making kids more callous average of over 10,000 hours playing video games , sent and to the plight of others . Ironically enough , constantly being received over 200,000 emails and instant messages , and spent “ plugged in ” to social platforms and the internet also leads to over 10,000 hours talking and texting on cell phones . Kids , more social isolation . Kids would rather look at their devices in general , are being given smartphones and social media than talk to a real human being . And since empathy is best accounts at younger and younger ages . All of this tech use acquired through human touch , face-to-face interaction , lends itself well to the aspects of maturity that are already and communication through verbal and non-verbal cues , mostly developed , most notably social maturity . Texting and their ability to empathize withers . Unfortunately , as empathy online chatting gives kids more of a chance to practice their declines , narcissism often rises in its place . communication skills and understand others . Access to the At the end of the day , however , it ’ s important to note that internet also helps with a child ’ s intellectual maturity by technology is just a tool . The effects that it has on a child ’ s providing answers to any questions that might arise during maturity , positive or negative , all depends on the user and the their day , such as “ why is the sky blue ?” or “ what is this bug ?” user ’ s support network . Assess your child ’ s personal maturity There are also numerous educational apps and tools to help levels and grant tech privileges accordingly . Most importantly , them with projects and school work . But while the internet take an active interest in the things that they are into . The and social media boost these types of maturity , other more effort you put into knowing what your child ’ s online kinds that are still budding , in areas such as emotional interests are and why , the more likely you are to be the voice maturity , suffer . of reason for them when they encounter unpleasant things .

Emotional maturity , or emotional intelligence , is the ability This goes a long way towards helping your kids shape their to recognize and understand emotions in yourself , as well as own moral compass . in others , and use this awareness to manage your behavior and your relationships . This self-awareness usually stems Sources : from the ability to recognize yourself as an individual separate Ramasubbu , Suren , “ Does Technology Impact a Child ’ s from your environment and other individuals , which is the Emotional Intelligence ?”, Huffpost , huffi ngtonpost . com opposite of social media experiences . Having any kind of “ Maturity Levels ,” The Center for Parenting Education , online presence , be it Instagram , Twitter , or Tumblr , is all centerforparentingeducation . org about garnering approval or disapproval from others . A lot of likes on a post creates an ego boost and a lot of dislikes leads

Article Brought to discouragement . Young kids , who are still at that stage

To You By : where they want to be liked by everyone , can easily lose sight of their internal identity or sense of self-approval and base all of their self-worth on the approval of their peers . They wind

855 Moro Drive up engaging in the more risky behaviors attributed to teens Gilroy in order to get that attention and approval ; and because the gokids . org

Estrella Family Services

• Go Kids , Inc

•

GILROY • MORGAN HILL • SAN MARTIN APRIL / MAY 2018 gmhtoday . com

51