CHILDREN AND COMPUTERS

At first his withdrawal from class contact was noticed by his Form Teacher. It took a little while to find the cause. After all one does not know what goes on in his home. His withdrawal may have parental and private issues which the school cannot ask about. Eventually I read an article about a child with these symptoms and - bingo! I had a possible answer to the dilemma.

BY Goolbai Gunasekara

I realize we are now in the era of High-Technology. The age of the Computer began when I was well into adulthood and I have been scurrying ever after adapting for these last many years. Anyone who is not computer savvy is being left behind, trying hard to make sense of what people around are saying and doing. The first time I actually succeeded in using a computer I almost gave a party.

In the running of a School Office it was imperative for me to master these new techniques, I had to progress, although ‘progression’ was not the word I used. It was sheer desperation since all around me…Secretaries, Office workers, Telephone operators etc. were completely savvy. Learning to cope became vital and I muddled through somehow much to the derision of my personal Secretary who was a true expert herself.

We now have ‘AI’ in our lives to further bewilder those of us who grew up in an era when books and human contact were our only portals to knowledge. Radios helped. TVs came much later. After I married in fact.

This general bewilderment at the rate of change is carried over into a person’s travels. Staying in Hotels – however expensive- necessitates some knowledge of modern technology- even to the making of coffee which is now done in one’s own hotel bedroom by one’s self! On one of my trips abroad I made an overnight stay in London. The Hotel had no personal service but provided a coffee maker in my bedroom. The maid who showed me to my room explained how it worked but to my completely untutored self I did not get it. I went coffee–less the next morning.

However , all this new knowledge must be controlled. Do modern parents realise the grave danger they are taking when they put a computer into the immature hands of children around age seven and then wonder why they are not more outgoing and interested in what is happening around them?

Can parents do anything? Of course they can. First of all they must take advice of psychologists and teachers. Second of all they must use their common sense which seems to take a hike when dealing with a bright child. Common sense should tell them that when a child remains in one place (alone) for three hours at a stretch, something is not quite right...

I have had parents of Asian International School actually boast to me that their children were completely absorbed by this ‘toy’ of the 21 st century. They tell me with pride that their son is totally familiar with his computer and spends hours with it. “Think of what he is learning” they tell me proudly. Need I even say that the parents cannot operate a computer themselves for if they did they would know that their bright little offspring is playing computer games and watching videos. He is not occupied in a search for knowledge.

As time goes on the child grows up and probably starts watching porn in addition to all else. His life centers round that computer and also round his Smart phone with which his parents have  provided him. In the meantime his parents have no idea what he is up to as he switches screens as soon as one of them enters his room which is naturally closed and maybe even locked. And in an extreme case here is what CAN happen, As he grows up the young person’s social life gradually becomes nil as his only ‘friends’ are on his computer. He doesn’t make friends in school. With ‘AI’ also making its entry his detachment from normal contacts is even less. Let me give you the worst scenario where a youngster eschews all human contact, preferring instead the impersonality of his computer. I have had such cases as pupils and I know how long it took to alert parents to the lurking dangers.

At first his withdrawal from class contact was noticed by his Form Teacher. It took a little while to find the cause. After all one does not know what goes on in his home. His withdrawal may have parental and private issues which the school cannot ask about. Eventually I read an article about a child with these symptoms and - bingo! I had a possible answer to the dilemma.

The youngster under review, aged 14, now needed psychiatric care. He had to relearn how to relate to people. His world of reality was his computer. Deprived of it he could hardly function and retreated into isolation of the mind.

This extreme case acted as a wake-up call to me. Of course I also alerted the school’s PTA. Parents who were allowing their children unlimited access to computers and Smart phones were given details of overuse. Very few accept the warnings of a Principal. Until the matter reaches urgency levels the youngster’s passion for his computer is regarded as a harmless pastime. And now with ‘AI’ further blurring his grasp on reality the pitfalls ahead are endless.

 The reaction of a concerned Principal to the proud boast of parents, “My child is SO good on the computer,” can be imagined. It is not a statement I greeted with delight. I wanted all my students to be able to cope with the modern world But I did not want them to turn the ‘tools’ of the modern world into shackles

Can parents do anything? Of course they can. First of all they must take advice of psychologists and teachers. Second of all they must use their common sense which seems to take a hike when dealing with a bright child. Common sense should tell them that when a child remains in one place (alone) for three hours at a stretch, something is not quite right.

Another warning signal is when school- work standards drop alarmingly but the child is still glued to his computer. A third warning sign is when there is no interest in playing sports. Lack of exercise is ensuring future health issues to say nothing of listless performances in the present moment.

I have suggested the following to sensible parents.

Regulate hours of computer usage. It must be used for school work of course, But CHECK to see if that is being done.

Leave the study room door open. Unsuitable viewing can be halted.

Some leeway may be needed allowing games etc to be played. Strict time periods must be adhered to.

There are inbuilt computer controls that can be used. I think they are called ‘Computer Nanny” or something similar.

Have a serious chat with the child and teach him the ethics of Computer use.

Computers and Robots are the future of the world, Let us take a warning from the movie “HER” where a man actually falls in love with his Robot who is beautiful and has a lovely voice. Computer/Robots are becoming more and more like “SIRI” who speak in either male or female voices. The new Robots and computers blur the boundaries between Artificial Intelligence and reality. Do we want to take the risks these devices place before our children? Parents – put up your guards.