Mental Health has become an increasingly important issue to talk about. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, or DSM for short, covers all existing mental health disorders recognized by the American Psychiatric Association. Since 1952, the number of mental disorders recognized by the manual has grown from 106 to 297.
My interest is less in the stratification of new disorders and their modernized definitions but in the correlation between existing mental health problems and increased technology in the early years of a child's growth. The applications for technology have been exponential in even my own life where I am required to juggle many different tasks and communicate with others over a wide range of media. I know this was simply not the experience of my parents or of those before them who enjoyed most of their lives without such devices and am curious, what might be the ramifications of these advancements?
There are children’s apps for the iPad that simulate vocabulary and simple math games but are they really as effective at teaching and leaving an impression as another human? Is it even feasible to raise a child without exposing them to the information overload of the internet? I can also imagine parents might feel an obligation to equip their child as they will need to be accustomed to using new technologies throughout their schooling and careers. I have found credible sources such as psychologytoday.com that offer a plethora of articles written by doctors and psychologists that will be helpful in understanding these questions.
At what point does the synergy between technology and humanity become less of an advantage and more destructive by altering behavioral patterns? Is it more beneficial to use active technology such as social media or video games compared to passive viewing like watching television?
"green hill country" by Ted Nasmith
The exploratory journey begins.
