Children and technology are two sides of the same coin. But experts warn of dangers – SAPO Tek

The technologies bring with them a wealth of new ways to communicate and learn, but also potential dangers to the healthy development of children. In this sense, parents and educators should play a role of guiding and giving the example of the best online practices to more new.

In an interview with the TeK, Daniel Sampaio, doctor, psychiatrist and director of the Psychiatry Service of the Hospital de Santa Maria, and Ivone Patrão, a clinical psychologist, and a collaborator at the Core of Problematic Internet Use (NUPI), Hospital Santa Maria, reflected on the advantages and dangers that children face in the digital world.

How to explain in his work, "Dependencies Online – The Power of Technologies", published this year by editora Pactor, the technology is here to stay, and the impacts of its development are transversal to all generations.

however, there is that notice that the layers check the latest ever born in the bosom of so-called "Digital Revolution", that is, in a world in which everything is touch and that the internet is a well as common and essential as water.

According to Daniel Sampaio and Ivone Patrão, kids today have a large appetite for technologies and the development of their digital skills exceeds that of any other generation.

parents who are able to track changes in technology and be in tune with the trends can reduce what experts describe as "the technological gap between generations". This way, they can be on equal footing with their children in terms of skills in technology, which creates a closer relationship between the two generations and can even bring the family, instead of making it each time but scattered.

But experts warn of the dangers that are strengthened by this relationship is increasingly dependent on that there is with the "machines", in particular with regard to the healthy development of children.

The use of too much internet can cause mood disturbances of children, as well as in his sleep, and in social dynamics.

The authors highlight two clinical profiles of young people dependent on the technologies. Some young people depressed are in the online world a "port" that they judge to be "safe" and are dependent on this tool. On the other hand, some young people use technologies to interact with their friends and colleagues, losing the sensitivity of socialization face-to-face.

But the danger of the use of technology as the only way of communication is not exhausted in the younger age groups. Adults are also exposed to these risks.

"There will always be the need of the look, the smell, the touch", stressed. "People can’t relate to only through the machines".

experts believe that example comes from the top and that parents and educators should be aware of the best practices online, because only in this way will be able to detect deviant behaviour. of young people with regard to the use of new technologies.

But "you can’t prohibit the use of technology in a classroom and the teacher to have the freedom to see the Facebook", they add. The rules on the use of technology must be adhered to by everyone – parents, educators, children and young people – and not just for a few.

The technological evolution is inevitable and there is that know how to deal with it the best way, because its impacts are being felt at all levels, generational and society.

Daniel Sampaio and Ivone Patrão share the opinion that "classrooms of the future will surely be more digital and more touch" and that ICT can play an important role as motivators of learning. However, the aspect of the human should be maintained and encouraged, so that children and young people can develop in a healthy way.

In the days of chains, the more new live immersed in "oceans" of screens and technology. This leads to the fact that your concentration levels decrease and your attention becomes ever more diffuse.

from Here emerge the issues of routine, seen that the use of the devices goes to "steal" the hours that should belong to sleep. The lights of the screens mean that the brain is always in "day mode" and constantly active, which leads to that the children and young people are not able to rest properly and, consequently, do not have the opportunity school desired.

Looking to the future, the experts declare, with confidence, that "the next generations will certainly have professions connected to the digital world", something that becomes more and more evident each day that passes.