Are tablets and mobile phones helpful in developing children's brains, or are they causing havoc?

 

Child Education in the Digital Age: A New Generation 

Raised in the Light of Technology

When a child first holds a tablet or mobile phone in his hand, he may not realize that it is not 

just a toy—it is an important tool in determining the outline of his future. In this digital age of the 21st century, 

child education has taken a new form. Education is no longer limited to the pages of books, 

but new ideas, experiences, and skills are flowing through the screen.The Beginning of the 

Digital Age and the Evolution of Child Education Earlier, children used to start their educational 

life by learning letters, recognizing pictures, or learning rhymes by mouth. Now, technologies 

like animated videos, interactive apps, game-based learning, and virtual reality have been 

added to this stream of education. Digital content for young children such as 'Khan Academy 

Kids', 'ABCmouse', or 'YouTube Kids' these platforms are now like new classrooms.

 

Advantages of Learning through Screens: 

Children easily accept visual presentations. Videos, animations, and colorful graphics in 

digital media hold children's attention for a long time. This increases interest in learning and 

eliminates boredom. Many children develop confidence in learning through technology—they 

ask questions, experiment, and learn from mistakes. Digital media has also become a great 

support for children with special needs. Various education systems around the world are 

now moving towards ‘blended learning’ or ‘hybrid learning’, where technology is used together 

with classroom lessons. The freedom to choose content according to children’s learning speed,

interests, and abilities is now a reality. Screen time and the negative aspects However, behind 

all the benefits, the situation can be worrisome if some precautions are not taken. When children 

spend excessive time in front of screens, it causes problems such as eye problems, physical inactivity, 

insomnia, and attention deficit disorder. According to experts, screen use should be avoided altogether 

for children under two years of age. In adults, too, using screens for more than the prescribed amount 

of time per day can affect mental health. What's even worse is that parents often don't know what 

their children are watching due to uncontrolled digital content. This creates a risk of distorting 

the child's mental structure.

Role and awareness of parents No matter how modern the use of screens in 

children's education is, the main responsibility for control lies with the parents. 

Just as it is not possible to completely deny technology, it is also dangerous to 

always blindly accept it. That is why awareness and balance are needed. Parents should—

• Set a specific screen time,
• Choose age-appropriate content,
• Guide them while learning, and Involve the child in sports, stories,  art, and creative activities to increase off-screen time.

Overall, 'accessible technology + conscious use'—this equation is the key to a 

child's healthy digital growth.

What will future education be like?

Experts believe that the future education system will be technology-based, customized, and 

data-based. Content will be created based on children's learning styles and progress. Artificial 

Intelligence (AI) will select the next lesson based on the child's learning pace. Virtual Reality 

(VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) will make education experiential, realistic and interactive. 

However, families and educational institutions must be aware that human qualities—empathy, 

imagination, teamwork, and social skills—are not lost in this digital journey.

 

Conclusion

Children do not just spend time watching videos on screens—they build their future, learn to 

recognize the new world, and express their thoughts. In the digital age, child education is as 

promising as it is responsible. Our goal should not be to ban technology completely, but to use 

it correctly according to the child's needs and mental development. With the right guidance, 

the future of a generation can be illuminated by the screen's light.