Katie Dickison

LBST 391

Sally Walters

October 2, 2019

Reading Review 1: The Cyber Effect. Ch.3 – Cyber Babies

Chapter three of Mary Aikens The Cyber Effect opens with an image of a mother feeding her baby whilst on her cellphone. In today’s society, this exact image or something very similar can be seen more frequently than not and has become a part of the norm for most people. Technology has taken over the 21st century and has conquered everyone in its path and will continue to moving forward. It’s a lot easier to see the effect it has had over adults and teenagers, but we seemingly forget about the most helpless of victims; children. Most adults will spend all day sitting at a desk and typing away on their computers and when they come home after a long day, they continue to do the same thing. They can’t seem to escape technology and their children are the ones who are paying for it.                                       

In reading the chapter, the effects that a parent’s technological use has on their child was a reoccurring theme; this discussion surrounding the lack of development and issues with bonding and connectivity. So much of a baby’s development during infancy comes from the parent. We mirror what they say and do to communicate without dialogue. If done properly it can lead to a secure attachment, which is the most important factor in the parent to child relationship during infancy. Technology interrupts this natural development. It’s almost as though in many cases the baby comes second to the cellphone or laptop. I don’t think any parent wants that for their child and they know in some ways that it’s wrong, but they don’t know how bad it is; parents should be made more aware. As well, if a company is selling a technology-based toy targeted towards infants there needs to be a warning of the effects, just like how there’s a choking hazard symbol on Lego or any other small toy. Why must this be any different? A company uses the marketing technique of advertising a product as ‘interactive’ and beneficial to development, but they seem to lack any information on the overstimulation caused by these ‘interactive’ toys, which can lead to several developmental issues like ADHD. Without any warning labels, it goes back to the idea that if the danger isn’t present and immediate right there in front of you it fails to be seen. I think if more parents were aware of this hindrance in development they would be more likely to put away their devices and spend time face to face interacting with their children and teaching them those vital lessons they need to survive as a functioning human being.                                               

What I found so beneficial about this chapter, in particular, were the ideas for parents on how to navigate through infancy and childhood with this looming presence of technology. I’ve read so many articles about the effects that technology has on children, but very seldom do they mention ways on how you should handle that as a parent. Without having read this chapter or searching for this information on my own, I would be completely oblivious and unaware and I don’t even have a child of my own. If I choose to have children in the future I will be prepared, having some knowledge of the subject, but most parents won’t be. They need help, for someone needs to be looking out for our children.