Alyse Beekhuizen

25 June 2018

“Technology’s Impact on Child Growth and Development” Summary

In Elkind’s “Technology’s Impact on Child Growth and Development,” he describes the

different cultures and affects of Technology on the modern day child. Elkind tells how growing

up in a technology-driven era may change the way children act and affect their relationships.

Elkind goes on to further explain the differentiation between generations, as a result of

technology. It is previously mentioned that the “digital-children” have a different concept of time.

When the children are focusing on how fast technology is moving, they see how fast they can

complete more of what they are doing, whether it be educationally or in another form. Children

are then growing rapidly and becoming more mature at a younger age. Thus, childhood culture

is beginning to disappear. Elkind finishes the article by stating that although children are

becoming more independent, they still want, and need, the same love and support from their

parents.

How Technology has Affected My Relationships

Technology is put to use every day. Whether the technology is used to benefit a person or is

a disadvantage to someone, it will always be progressing at an extremely fast rate. Digital

communication is a form of technology that quickly became popular. In this day and age, cell

phones and communication devices may be considered a necessity. It allows people to interact

and create relationships, or on the opposite side of the spectrum, ruin them. From a personal

point of view, digital communications have had both a positive and negative effect on

relationships in my life.
 Not only cell phones, but countless other devices of communication can be used for the

benefit of maintaining and making relationships. In my life, I use these devices, whether it be

texting, video calling, or any other form, to keep in contact with close friends and family

relatives. In light of the fact that I am fortunate enough to have access to fast means of

communication, allowing me to maintain a close relationship with family and friends who live

over a thousand miles away.

Through social media, I have had the opportunity to observe the culture of my extended

family that lives in the Netherlands. From interacting with them through various forms of

communication, I now have a better understanding of the Dutch culture on my father’s side of

the family. Because of online communication devices, alongside the help of websites and

translators, I was able to have a conversation with one of my relatives. Further, I have built a

stronger relationship with my Dutch heritage.

Academically, communication devices made it easier to interact with other students and

teachers. I had the opportunity to build stronger teacher-student relationships through apps and

websites, where I was able to ask my teachers for help on assignments and get the feedback I

needed quickly. For group projects, we could better work together through forums such as Google

Classroom.

Though communicating through technology has many positive aspects, it may also attain

negative effects on relationships. One of the negative outcomes I have personally experienced is

that I may sometimes alienate the people around me. While focusing on my cellphone, I pay no

attention to my immediate surroundings or the people I could be communicating with. Another

negative effect of online conversation is drama and gossip. At one point in my life, a friendship

that I once enjoyed had been ruined by rumors and lies, all spread through social media. Lastly,
the advancement and superb intelligence of communication devices today also creates a gap

amongst generations. Thus, it is harder for those of different ages to bond or relate. I myself find

it hard to connect with some of my family members or acquaintances because of our

generations’ advancements in technology.

Because of communication devices, relationships in my life have been negatively or

positively impacted. Although in the past I have been put at a disadvantage by some devices of

communication, I feel that, overall, the relationships in my life have been more positively

impacted.