The Impact Of Technology For Children Mental Health | 2023

The Impact Of Technology For Children Mental Health

Authors:
Alif Zufikar Rabbani¹, Muhammaf Wahid Hasbyshihab², Tatu Zakiyatun Nufus³
Psychology faculty of UIN Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta, Indonesia

Abstract
Technology is one of the advancement in the world, every humankind in this world must be affected with
technology. Every age of human, every race of human, every caste of human must be feel the impact of
technology. In my own observation, there is so much children that directly contact and involved with the
technology and it’s affect their mental health. Rapidness and masiveness in technology can disturb the growth of
children in the world because they not ready yet to use this kind of advance technology.

Keywords: technology, children , mental health, impact

Introduction
Mental health for children is very important and very crucial because will affect to their
behaviour in the future, specially their behaviour on their daily life. Over the last 15 years or
so, the rapid expansion of Internet access and digital technology has brought about significant
transformations in the social, educational, and therapeutic realms for children and young people
in contemporary society. This expansion has not only provided unprecedented opportunities
for learning, personal development, and exploration but has also exposed children and young
individuals to various social, intellectual, and mental health risks. The very qualities of the
Internet that enable positive contributions, such as immediacy, portability, intimacy, and
unconstrained reach, have simultaneously created challenges due to the lack of supervision and
content regulation. Furthermore, the digital space is increasingly proving effective in
identifying and treating mental health issues. Consequently, the Internet is more of a triple-
edged sword than a double-edged one concerning children's mental health. (Hollis C.,
Livingstone S. & Sonuga-Barke E., 2020).

The Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry (JCPP) has previously played a significant
role in addressing the complex impact of the digital revolution on children's mental health and
well-being by publishing authoritative reviews. Acknowledging the relatively early stage of
research in this area, these reviews served as a call to action for researchers to enhance the
scientific rigor of their work. This included developing new theories about the influence of the
digital environment on the mental health of children and young people and conducting studies
with more robust methodologies to test these theories. The decision to publish the special issue
"Young People’s Mental Health in the Digital Age – From Understanding Risk and Resilience
 The Impact Of Technology For Children Mental Health | 2023

to Promoting Therapeutic Innovation Potential" in 2020 reflects the JCPP editors' confidence
in the field's increased productivity and scientific quality. The eight papers featured in this
special issue demonstrate the fulfillment of this confidence. (Hollis C., Livingstone S. &
Sonuga-Barke E., 2020).

Literatur review

1. Technology and Children

Social media, especially, has become not just a common aspect but almost an integral
part of daily life. It is now taken for granted as the usual method for maintaining family
and peer relationships, expressing identities, and building networks. This has led to
growing public concern, resulting in numerous policy reports addressing the mental
health, personal safety, and well-being of children and young people in an increasingly
digital world, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. Acknowledging that not all
digital risks necessarily lead to actual harm, efforts are underway to identify key
protective and risk factors that amplify existing vulnerabilities and enhance the
resilience of young people. As Livingstone and Smith summarized in 2014, evidence
regarding vulnerability to aggressive and sexual risks pointed to factors such as
personality (sensation-seeking, low self-esteem, psychological difficulties), social
aspects (lack of parental support, peer norms), and digital elements (online practices,
digital skills, specific online sites). Primarily, these are familiar and, unfortunately,
often persistent causes of vulnerability, revolving around issues within family and peer
dynamics, frequently linked to socio-economic or other forms of disadvantage,
although personality factors also play a role.

2. Impact Of Technology
According to journal by UNICEF, There are 2 out of 3 impact of technology for children
mental health, UNICEF has explored the existing evidence concerning the influence of
children's digital technology use on their well-being, covering mental/psychological,
social, and physical aspects. The findings paint a nuanced picture, offering inconclusive
results regarding the impact on physical activity but suggesting positive effects on
social relationships. In terms of mental well-being, the most robust studies propose a
 The Impact Of Technology For Children Mental Health | 2023

U-shaped relationship, indicating slight negative impacts for both no use and excessive
use, while moderate use may yield slight positive effects.
The paper further examines the hypothetical notion of technology addiction and
challenges the assumption that digital technology could rewire or hijack children's
brains, citing recent neuroscience evidence. It underscores the prevalent
methodological limitations in existing research, spanning studies on time use, clinical
impacts, and brain effects, prompting a reevaluation of research practices in this field.
In summary, the reviewed literature underscores the necessity for a more rigorous
approach to research on the interplay between children and digital technology in
influencing well-being. The paper concludes by offering recommendations to enhance
research practices, emphasizing the importance of addressing methodological
limitations for a more comprehensive understanding of this intricate relationship.

3. The Impact Of Children Using Technology For Their Mental Well-Being

In summary, studies examining the link between internet and mobile phone use and
self-reported depression among children suggest a positive but small correlation, with
larger studies indicating modest effect sizes. Ferguson's research emphasizes a
significant association with feelings of depression only in children with more than six
hours of daily screen time, questioning the universal efficacy of reducing screen time
for youth well-being.
Przybylski and Weinstein's UK study supports this by revealing negligible impacts on
mental well-being among 15-year-olds. Findings for very young children show a small
increase in emotional and conduct problems in girls with more than two hours of screen
entertainment. Overall, the effects of digital technology on child well-being are
nuanced, with moderate use showing positive outcomes and both high and no use
associated with negative effects.
These findings underscore the importance of considering the nature and duration of
online activities. Family functioning, school dynamics, and socioeconomic conditions
emerge as more influential factors than direct digital technology use. While gender
differences exist in technology use, their impact on mental well-being is limited. The
review highlights the need for longitudinal studies to understand the cumulative effects
of extensive digital technology use from a young age.

4. The Impact Of Children Using Technology For Their Social Relationships

 The Impact Of Technology For Children Mental Health | 2023

In summary, diverse studies examining the influence of digital technology on the social
relationships of adolescents reveal nuanced effects. One cross-sectional study indicated
that increased digital technology use reduced interaction with parents but did not
compromise the quality of parent-child relationships. Notably, active participation in
online communication seemed to enhance friendships, a pattern observed across
different age groups.
Individuals with extroverted traits were found to strengthen online friendships through
self-disclosure, aligning with the stimulation hypothesis. Support was also evident for
the rich-get-richer and social compensation hypotheses, suggesting that frequent online
communication could foster a stronger connection to the school environment and serve
as a compensatory strategy for introverted adolescents lacking social skills.
Importantly, the review underscores that the internet or digital technology alone is not
a direct cause of social outcomes. Contextual and individual factors play a pivotal role
in determining the impact on social interaction and relationships. Contrary to earlier
beliefs suggesting the detrimental effects of internet use on social connections, recent
studies predominantly report positive impacts. This shift is attributed to changes in how
adolescents currently use the internet, allowing it to reinforce existing friendships rather
than isolating individuals in a lonely online space. In essence, the evolving landscape
of internet usage suggests a trend toward more positive outcomes in the social
interactions and relationships of adolescents.

Methods
The approach taken to gather information on this topic involved utilizing both a library and
online scholarly research. The writers curated academic journals and various resources to
procure pertinent material. A comprehensive review of the existing body of research was
conducted to identify studies relevant to the correlation between music therapy and stress relief.
The criteria for inclusion encompassed research utilizing diverse methodologies and
demographics to explore the impact of music on stress. Key terms such as "Impact Of
Technology For Children," "Technology For Children Mental Health," and "Technology And
Young People" were employed. It is important to note that this research entails the analysis of
previously published studies, with conscientious efforts made to appropriately acknowledge
the original authors and sources in adherence to scientific standards.

Result and Finding

 The Impact Of Technology For Children Mental Health | 2023

Over the last 15 years, the rapid expansion of internet access and digital technology has
profoundly altered various aspects of children's lives, encompassing the social, educational,
and therapeutic domains. The internet's attributes, such as immediacy and portability, create
unprecedented opportunities for learning and personal development, while concurrently
exposing children to social, intellectual, and mental health risks. Described as a triple-edged
sword, this impact involves both positive contributions and accompanying risks.

The Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry (JCPP) has played a pivotal role in addressing
the influence of the digital revolution on children's mental health through the publication of
authoritative reviews. The decision to release a special issue in 2020 underscores the
confidence in the heightened productivity and scientific quality within this field.

Social media, particularly in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, has become an integral
part of daily life, influencing family and peer relationships, identity expression, and network
building. Public concern and policy reports underscore the technology's impact on children's
mental health and well-being. The ongoing identification of protective and risk factors takes
into account elements such as personality, social dynamics, and digital practices.

Studies indicate a U-shaped relationship between technology use and mental well-being,
suggesting that both no use and excessive use may have a slight negative impact, while
moderate use may have a slight positive effect. Recent neuroscience evidence challenges the
notions of technology addiction and the rewiring or hijacking of children's brains.

Research demonstrates a positive but small correlation between internet/mobile phone use and
self-reported depression among children, with Ferguson's work highlighting a significant
association with depression in children exceeding six hours of daily screen time.

Digital technology exerts nuanced effects on social relationships, reducing parent interaction
without compromising parent-child relationship quality. Online communication enhances
friendships, aligning with stimulation, rich-get-richer, and social compensation hypotheses.

The research acknowledges methodological limitations in studying the impact of digital

technology on child well-being, emphasizing the need to reconsider and strengthen research
practices. Recommendations are provided to address these limitations and enhance research
 The Impact Of Technology For Children Mental Health | 2023

practices, aiming for a comprehensive understanding of the intricate relationship between

children and digital technology.

Conclusion
In conclusion, the pervasive influence of technology on children's lives over the past 15 years has
presented a complex landscape of opportunities and risks, particularly in the realms of mental
health and social relationships. The expansion of internet access and digital technology, while
offering unprecedented opportunities for learning and personal development, has
simultaneously exposed children to various challenges, creating a triple-edged sword scenario.

The Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry (JCPP) has been instrumental in addressing
the profound impact of the digital revolution on children's mental health, with the 2020 special
issue reflecting confidence in the field's increased productivity and scientific quality.

Social media, now integral to daily life, has raised concerns about its impact on the mental
health and well-being of children, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. Efforts are
underway to identify protective and risk factors, considering elements such as personality,
social dynamics, and digital practices.

Studies reveal a nuanced relationship between technology use and mental well-being,
suggesting a U-shaped pattern where both no use and excessive use may have slight negative
impacts, while moderate use shows slight positive effects. Recent neuroscience evidence
challenges assumptions about technology addiction and the rewiring of children's brains.

Research also indicates a positive but small correlation between internet/mobile phone use and
self-reported depression among children, with varying effects based on screen time duration.
Digital technology's impact on social relationships is multifaceted, reducing parent interaction
while enhancing friendships through online communication.
Acknowledging methodological limitations, there is a call for a more rigorous research
approach to understand the intricate relationship between children and digital technology.
Recommendations emphasize the need to address these limitations and enhance research
practices for a comprehensive understanding of this evolving dynamic. In essence, as
technology continues to shape the landscape of children's lives, a careful and thorough
examination is essential to navigate its impact on their well-being and development.
 The Impact Of Technology For Children Mental Health | 2023

Citation and Bibliography

(Hollis, C., Livingstone, S., & Sonuga‐Barke, E. (2020). Editorial: The role of digital
technology in children and young people’s mental health – a triple‐edged sword? Journal of
Child Psychology and Psychiatry, Kardefelt-Winther, D. (December 2017). How does the
time children spend using digital technology impact their mental well-being, social
relationships and physical activity?)

Hollis, C., Livingstone, S., & Sonuga‐Barke, E. (2020). Editorial: The role of digital
technology in children and young people’s mental health – a triple ‐edged sword?
Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 61(8), 837–
841. https://acamh.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/jcpp.13302
Kardefelt-Winther, Daniel. How does the time children spend using digital technology impact
their mental well-being, social relationships and physical activity? December 2017.
https://www.unicef-irc.org/publications/pdf/Children-digital-technology-wellbeing.pdf