Dziorny, Gail
LS 521 Sp 02
February 16, 2002
The article I chose was titled “Humans or Machines?: Questioning Priorities for Kids in a Digital Age” by Jane M. Healy, Ph.D. In the article, Dr. Healy describes situations she observed during the course of her observations in preparation for the book she wrote. She was extremely bothered by how often young children were exposed to computers. While acknowledging the many benefits of computers, she points out the many pitfalls as well. She was concerned about the physical safety of the children as they spent many hours playing games and searching for information. In particular, she is concerned about their “eyes, backs, wrists, and nervous systems.” In addition to the physical problems that might arise, Dr. Healy feels that the constant use of computers may impede the social, linguistic and emotional well being of children. Computers may actually do more harm than good in young children. The choice of materials being used by these children is not working to build up their development but to break it down.
I believe that Dr. Healy has made some excellent points in her article. Of course, we can all think of the many and varied ways computers have helped our lives. No one will dispute that having access to current information, communicating with friends and family almost instantly, and record keeping has become one of the greatest innovations of our time. However, just like anything, is the use of computers right for all the people all the time? In this case, the people are young children who are still developing in many areas. I would rather spend time playing a game with children than see them sitting at a computer playing a game alone. The verbal and social interactions are necessary at this age and cannot be gotten from a computer. Young children should be up and out-running around and getting exercise. We have become a nation of overweight children-partly because children sit and play on computers rather than go outside. My nephew will spend the better part of a day designing some fake cities and roller coasters rather than sit and talk to us. While he is learning some skills from doing that, he is missing the social aspects that are necessary in our society.
Neither Dr. Healy nor I are suggesting eliminating computers from children’s lives but we both feel a balance should be maintained and serious regard for the total well being of the child should be considered.