Children and the Use of the Internet: Risks and Gains

 
Introduction
The Internet is becoming popular by both adults and children as an accurate and reliable information source. A survey by the National Center for Educational Statistics revealed that approximately 94% of children aged between three and eighteen had Internet access within the comfort of their homes in 2018 (‘Children’s Internet Access’). 88% of this population segment had access through a personal computer, while 6% browsed the Internet using smartphones (‘Children’s Internet Access’, para. 1). The study further revealed that only 6% of this specific populace lacked Internet access (Children’s Internet Access, para. 1). Through the Internet, minors currently obtain a substantial supply of data and interaction opportunities. However, despite the benefits of this media, Diomidous et al. highlight the actual dangers and risks associated with children’s Internet exploitation without parental supervision (67). Some of these effects include the likelihood of viewing inappropriate content, cyberbullying, poor sleeping patterns, and poor social behaviors. This paper contains a comprehensive analysis of the benefits and risks of Internet use among children and the measures various stakeholders can implement to safeguard minors against the drawbacks linked to this technology.


Gains Attributed to Internet Use by Children
As indicated earlier, Internet use is currently a normal aspect of life for both adults and children. Youths of various ages are increasingly becoming active consumers of this technology. Through its exploitation, minors can derive several benefits, both academically and socially. First, Van Deursen and Helsper associate internet use among kids with significant improvements in the coordination between the eye and arm (2334). This kinesiology benefit is achieved by engaging in various online educational games available for children.
Second, this innovation facilitates accessibility to crucial educational resources. The internet provides a wide pool of information that is consumable to children as well as adults. Many online services provide them with access to current events coverage, encyclopedias, libraries, and other appropriate materials (Van Deursen and Helsper 2336). This, in turn, contributes to their school performance by allowing them to be up-to-date with the learned concepts.
Third, Internet use facilitates children’s capacities to connect and interact with people who are far apart geographically, for instance, family and friends and those within their region. This positively impacts their social interactions and relationships to a greater extent (Shin and Luin 1112). Fourth, Internet usage among young adults plays a crucial role in enhancing their creativity. Diomidous et al. support this viewpoint by arguing that this technology enhances creativity and nurtures it (66). These researchers posit that children can hone their adroitness through platforms such as YouTube and be motivated by others with similar skills. On the other hand, social media sites provide a platform for teenagers with expertise in singing, sports, or writing to share their talents and explore techniques and ideas.
Fifth, the Internet offers youths a medium for acquiring meaningful information and connecting them with study groups and other education systems; this, in turn, enhances learning efficiency. Social networking tools such as online discussion boards also provide academic institutions and learners with the opportunity to enhance class training methods (Diomidous et al. 66). They allow the integration of social media plugins, which foster interaction and sharing of information. Students may also benefit from online resources and tutorials disseminated through LMS and social networks. Furthermore, according to Diomidous et al., this innovation fosters improved language skills among children (67). These researchers support this viewpoint by positing that kids who interact with computers or the internet frequently, tend to develop improved language skills when playing games or reading (67). Therefore, this innovation contributes to the academic abilities of children.
Lastly, internet use among children has been linked to efficient and improved strategy development and problem-solving capabilities. Through online video games, the aforementioned skills are enhanced by getting the player to resolve complicated puzzles; this, in turn, encourages one to predominantly exercise one’s brain. Das et al. further indicate the importance of online video games in enhancing one’s cognitive capacities, including significant increases in mental rotation, visuospatial cognition, attention, and improving one’s capacity to overcome cognitive restrictions (5). Das et al. also underscore the impact of online video games in triggering natural positive aggression, prosocial deportments, and helping behaviors (6). Furthermore, this innovation has been associated with spatial and attention allocation skills, which fosters an individual’s thinking capacity or skills and concentration levels.