Negative impact of 'Technology' on 'Students': ASSOCHAM Survey

The recent survey held by ASSOCHAM has revealed that, nearly 82% of kids aged 5 to 12 have some kind of electronic device, especially in metropolitan cities, which can lead to negative outcomes such as social isolation, insomnia, depression, anxiety, obesity and mental health impact.

In a countrywide survey, conducted by the ASSOCHAM Social Development Foundation under the aegis of its Social Development Foundation, on "Who's kidding? : A Rising Trend In Metros" has revealed 82% of kids aged 5 to 14 have their own mobile phone, tablet, iPad etc.

Mr. D S Rawat, Secretary General ASSOCHAM while releasing the highlights of the survey said, "easy availability of technology with lack of parental supervision is a significant reason for this ever-increasing menace of technology addiction".

An aspect, which emerged out of this survey, is that children of working parents are found to be more technology addictive in the absence of parental supervision, as compared to those whose single parent is engaged in employment. This trend is abundant in metros where normally both parents are employed, reveals the survey.

The survey was conducted in ten major cities of Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai, Bangalore, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Pune, Ahemdabad, Lucknow, Jaipur and 2500 tech savvy kids (an equal number of both male and female) were randomly interviewed by an ASSOCHAM team.

Kids with mobile phones

Nearly 82% of kids aged 5 to 12 have some kind of electronic device in which mobile phones are found to be the common ones.

Computer

Over 63% have access to a computer in their homes, there's a tremendous growth in kids' access to technology that is set to continue. These kids go online at least once weekly and over a third or 27% use the Internet daily, adds the ASSOCHAM Survey.

 

Internet

One in ten kids have their own mobile phones. Over 60% kids are online every other day. The percentage of kids online and preferring to visit social media sites has nearly doubled from 25% to 65% in the last three years.

Online Activities

Around 86% of surveyed said they have a phone, music system, computer or television in their bedroom and two-thirds have all three. And one-fourth of teenage admitted that their quality of sleep is affected by leaving on the TV, video games, or computer, highlights the survey.

Top Mobile Activity

The post effects such as social isolation, insomnia, depression, anxiety, obesity and it also affects mental health of an individual, reveals the ASSOCHAM recent survey.

"Excessive use of mobile phones makes teenagers more restless and can exacerbate sleep problems and stress", said Dr. B K Rao, Chairman ASSOCHAM Health Committee here today.

He further said that youngsters need to be informed of the negative effects of excessive technology use on their sleep-wake patterns, attention and cognitive problems and the associated serious health risks. A buildup of tension from being constantly connected creates the stress and disturbs their sleep.