Video games and digital media play a significant role in many children’s lives. The average young child plays or browses online for at least 20 minutes a day- this amount of time will increase as they grow older. Some schools incorporate digital learning into their curriculum, like Austin Prep, to help make learning more engaging and interesting. Research on the effect this has on children’s development is still a work in progress. The little information which has already been gathered shows both positive and negative effects on children’s brain development. Researchers found that interactive video games and apps usually have a positive effect. However, violent and/or exclusively entertaining media typically have a negative effect. Educational games and apps can help children, ranging from toddlers to late teenagers, to learn skills that can be applied in real life on a daily basis.

Online, children younger than 11 are typically more likely to have problematic digital behavior, such as only having online friends, and visiting unsafe sites. There is also a greater chance of them taking part in online harassment, may they be the victim or the harasser. Some parents have even reported seeing an increase in anxiety, irritability, or lack of self-esteem. 

However, social media is not all bad. In fact, social media can open up a whole new world of opportunities. Social media can help someone learn to communicate with others, navigate relationships, and learn acceptable behavior. Not only is social media a tool for communication, but it is also an important part of the lives of adolescents and young adults. It allows them to stay connected with friends, sports teams, school, and family, and also allows them to meet people with similar interests as them. Not only this, but social media allows younger people to see, or interact with people from all around the world, exposing them to different and unique cultures which they may not otherwise come across.

In conclusion, social media can be dangerous when given to younger children, but it can be monitored so that only positive experiences come out of it. Younger children should be able to access social media since it’s becoming a constant in today’s society.