Currently technology has developed rapidly, and one form of technological development that we often encounter is a gadget or smartphone. Gadgets make it easy to find information quickly. Almost everyone uses this product, both young and old. Parents nowadays use gadgets as a way for their children to play with. The use of gadgets for children can have an emotional effect and cause childhood depression Even though some believe that the use of gadgets can improve cognitive skills in children.

Whilst, there are many harmful effects of gadgets for children, but the effect that is worried about is the emotional effect. This is because the emotional influence on children can cause anxiety. Children who suffer from anxiety will experience shame and fear. They try to avoid people around them and activities (Hussain Aldimasih 2018). For example, children will continue to show anger and anxiety if they do not play with gadgets and they will calm down after playing gadgets. In psychology, anger and anxiety carried out on children are categorized as negative emotions (Purnamasari 2018). This shows that gadgets have affected children's emotions so it can be harmful to children's mental health.

Furthermore, the influence of gadgets on children's mentality can cause medical illnesses that have a dangerous impact on their health. This is because the influence of using gadgets on children that cannot be controlled can cause depression in children at a certain age (M 2017). For instance, they spend too much time playing gadgets for more than 2 hours, it will cause headaches, sleep disturbances, visual disturbances or depression in all forms (Rashid 2021). They will also show a sense of pressure to act and think. In addition, this proves that children can experience depression at a young age which can affect their future.

This problem is what parents often debate about the use of gadgets in children. Because for them, using gadgets makes it easy to develop cognitive abilities in children. Cognitive skills related to memory and language can be a method of stimulation to optimize children's development according to their age (M 2017). Children can use gadgets to access various educational programs that can develop their learning abilities, but can reduce their interest in reading books (Saputra 2022).

In conclusion, the introduction of gadgets to children can have an impact both physically and mentally. Children's mental health is not a mental condition of children who experience illness, but includes ways of thinking, controlling emotions, and socializing with children their age. Therefore, parents need to understand the influence of gadgets on children, so that they can limit the use of gadgets and children's development can advance properly.

Reference

Hussain Aldimasih, Haya, Ala Mohammad Midsasy, Deena Elsori and Asiya Nazir. "Impact og Gadgets on Children's Development." International Journal on life Science and Bioengineering, 2018: 5 (2): 1–7.

M, Sundus. "The Impact of Using Gadgets on Children." Journal of Dpression and Anxienty, 2017: 07 (01); 1–3.

Purnamasari, Nurul Hamidah and Untung Desy. "Childhood In Digital Generation : Using Gadget for Cognitive, Emotional, and SOcial Development." Proceeding of International Conference on Child-Friendly Education, 2018: 268–73.

Rashid, S. M.Mahbubur, Jannatul Mawah, et.al. "Preverence and Impact of the Use of Electronic Gadgets on the Health of Children in Secondary Schools in Bangladesh: A Cross-Sectional Study." Health Science Reports, 2021: 4 (4): 1–9.

Saputra, Adit. "Impact of Gadgets on the Development of Children in Plakaran Village." 2022.