From smartphones and tablets to computers and video games, technology has become an integral part of our lives. Technology can help us stay connected with the world around us, but it's important to understand how it can also affect a child’s social skills. 

As parents, we want to ensure that our children are developing communication skills that will help them throughout their life, so what implications might these gadgets have in terms of helping (or hindering) in this development? In this blog post, we'll discuss some pros and cons regarding how does technology affect social skills when kids try to interact in the real world. 

Is technology affecting social skills development?

Kids in the U.S. spend 4-6 hours a day using devices while teens spend up to 9 hours, so the impact of technology on children (for good or bad) exists. 

The rapid proliferation of technology has engendered a spirited debate on how it is impacting an individual's social skills' development. The continuous growth of technology has had both positive and negative effects on the way people communicate with one another. The advent of social media platforms, in particular, has provided many users with an extraordinary means to maintain relationships and share their experiences across the globe. 

However, the excessive reliance on these platforms often fosters a more superficial connection among individuals. A growing number of studies suggest that the over-reliance on digital devices and social media platforms can lead to a decline in face-to-face interactions, impacting our ability to effectively communicate, make eye-to-eye contact, and understand non-verbal cues. Furthermore, several experts posit that this decrease in interpersonal communication could exacerbate feelings of isolation, loneliness, and low self-esteem, thus hindering the formation of crucial social skills. 

How Technology Affects Communication: The Good and The Bad

The Good

• Global communication

Technology bridges the gap between different cultures, languages, continents, and thereby, encourages children to engage with their peers from varied backgrounds. This diverse interaction not only exposes kids to various perspectives, but also broadens their horizons. 

This exchange fosters empathy, tolerance, and understanding among the younger generation, allowing them to develop effective collaboration skills and cultural sensitivity that will prove beneficial throughout their lives. Moreover, technology-driven global interaction enables kids to embrace the digital world with open arms and empowers them to thrive in an increasingly interconnected society, shaping them into well-rounded global citizens.

• Online peer relationships

With the internet providing a vast platform for social interaction, children gain exposure to diverse perspectives and communication styles. This process broadens their understanding and fosters empathy towards others, reinforcing their social awareness. 

Moreover, through various online activities like gaming, virtual events or study groups, children collaborate and form friendships, learning essential teamwork and relationship-building skills. The virtual space also enables introverted or socially anxious children to engage in social situations at a comfortable pace, offering opportunities to enhance their social competencies. 

The Bad

• Hampers the ability to interpret non-verbal cues

Technology has become an integral part of our daily lives, especially for kids who are growing up in the digital age. However, this reliance on technology has had some unforeseen effects on their ability to understand non-verbal cues. Non-verbal cues, such as facial expressions, body language, and tone of voice, are essential in human communication as they help us interpret and decode others' feelings and intentions. 

When kids spend excessive time interacting through electronic devices, they miss out on opportunities to observe and learn from these non-verbal cues in real-life situations. This lack of exposure hampers their emotional intelligence and social skills, potentially leaving them ill-equipped to navigate the complexities of interpersonal relationships as they grow up. 

• Feelings of isolation

The impact of technology on children has sparked concerns as it seemingly contributes to a growing sense of isolation among the younger generation. One key reason behind this is excessive screen time, which often leads to reduced in-person interactions among children. Instead of engaging in outdoor activities, group studies, or face-to-face conversations, kids nowadays find solace in their virtual worlds, connected to others primarily through gadgets. 

As a result, they lack opportunities to develop essential social skills and emotional intelligence, which, in turn, hinders their ability to form deep and meaningful relationships. 

Furthermore, social media platforms that showcase curated versions of others' lives can exacerbate feelings of inadequacy and loneliness, causing children to retreat further into their digital cocoons.

• Difficulty to make eye contact and decode emotions

With the prevalence of smartphones, tablets, and other screen-based devices, kids are now more inclined to engage with virtual mediums rather than face-to-face interactions. Consequently, they miss out on valuable opportunities to develop essential social skills that require real-life exchanges, such as making eye contact and interpreting emotions. 

The over stimulation and distractions brought about by the wealth of digital content can negatively impact a child's capacity to maintain attention, which in turn undermines the formation of deep and meaningful connections.

Impact of technology on children: Final Thoughts

Technology can be an amazing tool, providing incredible opportunities and freedom to children. However, when technology is not used in a responsible manner it can be overwhelming and distracting. This is why parents and educators play a crucial role in teaching children how to regulate their technology use in order to be successful in life. 

Technology should never replace the real-world experiences of learning, making friendships, and forming relationships with family members or mentors. Instead, it should complement those experiences through thoughtful engagement with content that enhances socialization and development while allowing enough time offline for proper rest and deepening relationships with others.

If you want to keep learning about technology, the Internet and how it affects our kiddos, visit our blog section!