As children grow up surrounded by technology, families and educators have an important job in helping them develop healthy digital habits. Digital tools can support learning and thinking skills, but they also bring challenges, such as overuse and exposure to inappropriate content. As technology changes, we need to keep learning how to guide young people […]

The Impact of Technology on Children and Teenagers
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Tendencias educativas

El impacto de la tecnología en niños y adolescentes

World Schools
El impacto de la tecnología en niños y adolescentes

A medida que los niños crecen rodeados de tecnología, las familias y los educadores tienen una importante labor a la hora de ayudarles a desarrollar hábitos digitales saludables. Las herramientas digitales pueden apoyar el aprendizaje y las habilidades de pensamiento, pero también plantean retos, como el uso excesivo y la exposición a contenidos inapropiados. A medida que la tecnología cambia, tenemos que seguir aprendiendo a guiar a los jóvenes para que la utilicen de forma responsable.

En este artículo se examinan tanto los beneficios como los riesgos del tiempo frente a la pantalla y se ofrecen estrategias basadas en pruebas para ayudar a las familias y a los centros escolares a adoptar un enfoque equilibrado. También escuchará directamente a centros escolares con experiencia práctica en este tema.

El panorama tecnológico

La tecnología puede potenciar el desarrollo de los niños mejorando sus capacidades cognitivas, estimulando su creatividad y favoreciendo su pensamiento crítico. Sin embargo, sin unos límites claros y una participación activa de la familia, el tiempo frente a la pantalla puede plantear riesgos para la salud, el bienestar y el aprendizaje del niño. Es esencial adoptar un enfoque consciente del uso de los medios digitales, especialmente en el caso de los niños más pequeños.
Bright red "P" logo of St Peter's School, representing quality education and global excellence.
St. Peter's School Barcelona
Educating for Responsible Use
St Peter’s School, alongside families, takes on the responsibility of educating our students in the conscious and responsible use of devices and digital content. Last year, we initiated a reflection process on the impact of technology on the younger generations, the so-called digital natives, and the role that families and schools should play in their ethical and cognitive development. This process began with a roundtable discussion, during which several parents shared their concerns and offered several solutions and proposals. Based on their contributions, we reviewed and updated our device policy, adjusting it to the current concerns, challenges, and needs.
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Bright red "P" logo of St Peter's School, representing quality education and global excellence.
St. Peter's School Barcelona
Educating for Responsible Use
St Peter’s School, alongside families, takes on the responsibility of educating our students in the conscious and responsible use of devices and digital content. Last year, we initiated a reflection process on the impact of technology on the younger generations, the so-called digital natives, and the role that families and schools should play in their ethical and cognitive development. This process began with a roundtable discussion, during which several parents shared their concerns and offered several solutions and proposals. Based on their contributions, we reviewed and updated our device policy, adjusting it to the current concerns, challenges, and needs.
Continue reading
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Beneficios de la tecnología para niños y adolescentes

Cuando se utilizan con prudencia, las pantallas pueden favorecer el aprendizaje, las competencias digitales y la conexión familiar. Las investigaciones demuestran que un uso moderado de las pantallas, especialmente con la orientación activa de los padres, puede mejorar el rendimiento académico y el compromiso social.

Los beneficios potenciales incluyen:

  • Conexión familiar: Participar en debates sobre tecnología puede estrechar lazos.
  • Bienestar de los adolescentes: El uso moderado de la pantalla parece menos perjudicial para los niños mayores, ya que proporciona interacción social a través de plataformas digitales.
  • Desarrollo cognitivo: Los juegos educativos potencian habilidades como el procesamiento visual y la lectoescritura, enriqueciendo las experiencias de aprendizaje.
  • Ventaja de la competencia: La alfabetización digital es esencial para el éxito futuro, ya que los estudiantes deben navegar por un panorama tecnológico en constante evolución.
Bright red "P" logo of St Peter's School, representing quality education and global excellence.
St. Peter's School Barcelona
Potential Benefits
Research indicates that screen use can promote family bonding and cognitive development. Educational content can improve academic performance and stimulate creativity. Digital competence is increasingly crucial for success in today’s job market, equipping students with necessary skills for a tech-driven future.
Continue reading
Helpful
Bright red "P" logo of St Peter's School, representing quality education and global excellence.
St. Peter's School Barcelona
Potential Benefits
Research indicates that screen use can promote family bonding and cognitive development. Educational content can improve academic performance and stimulate creativity. Digital competence is increasingly crucial for success in today’s job market, equipping students with necessary skills for a tech-driven future.
Continue reading
Helpful

Riesgos de la tecnología en la infancia y la adolescencia

A pesar de sus beneficios, el tiempo de pantalla excesivo o sin supervisión, especialmente para los niños más pequeños, puede perjudicar la salud y el desarrollo. Ser consciente de estos riesgos es el primer paso hacia un estilo de vida digital equilibrado. Las autoridades recomiendan límites basados en la edad para apoyar un uso equilibrado de los medios:
  • No se permite el uso de pantallas para niños menores de 2 años.
  • Limitar a 1 hora diaria para niños en edad preescolar.
  • Límite de 2 horas para niños en edad escolar, sin incluir el uso relacionado con la escuela.
  • Establezca horarios sin pantallas (por ejemplo, durante las comidas, antes de acostarse).
Se anima a los padres a establecer límites negociados, modelar un comportamiento saludable y participar en conversaciones regulares sobre el uso de la pantalla y la seguridad en línea.
Bright red "P" logo of St Peter's School, representing quality education and global excellence.
St. Peter's School Barcelona
Key Risks
Despite the benefits, there are notable risks associated with excessive screen time, particularly for younger children. Concerns include disrupted sleep patterns, sedentary behavior, and potential mental health issues. Key risks include: Sleep Disruption: Screen use, especially before bedtime, can lead to difficulties in falling asleep and shorter sleep durations. Mental Health Issues: Excessive screen time has been linked to depressive symptoms, particularly from inappropriate content exposure. Language Development: For children under two, screen time may negatively impact language acquisition and development. Behavioral Problems: High screen usage is correlated with attention issues and hyperactivity in young children.
Continue reading
Helpful
Bright red "P" logo of St Peter's School, representing quality education and global excellence.
St. Peter's School Barcelona
Key Risks
Despite the benefits, there are notable risks associated with excessive screen time, particularly for younger children. Concerns include disrupted sleep patterns, sedentary behavior, and potential mental health issues. Key risks include: Sleep Disruption: Screen use, especially before bedtime, can lead to difficulties in falling asleep and shorter sleep durations. Mental Health Issues: Excessive screen time has been linked to depressive symptoms, particularly from inappropriate content exposure. Language Development: For children under two, screen time may negatively impact language acquisition and development. Behavioral Problems: High screen usage is correlated with attention issues and hyperactivity in young children.
Continue reading
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Pautas para un uso saludable de la tecnología

Las buenas estrategias de bienestar digital no se limitan a reducir el tiempo frente a la pantalla. Ayudan a crear un estilo de vida equilibrado y apoyan las relaciones familiares positivas. Algunas medidas recomendadas son:
  • Fomentar la actividad física diaria y el juego al aire libre.
  • Establecer rutinas de sueño consistentes.
  • Promover comidas nutritivas y mantener las pantallas apagadas durante el momento de comer.
  • Fomentar pasatiempos fuera de línea, como la lectura, la música o el arte.
  • Mantener una comunicación abierta sobre el uso y la seguridad de Internet.
Bright red "P" logo of St Peter's School, representing quality education and global excellence.
St. Peter's School Barcelona
Guidelines for Families
To mitigate risks, health authorities recommend: No screen time for children under 2 years. Limit screen use to 1 hour for preschoolers and 2 hours for school-aged children. Establish screen-free times, such as during meals and before bedtime. Family involvement is crucial. Parents should set negotiated screen time limits and engage in discussions about usage and content, helping children reflect on their technology habits.
Continue reading
Helpful
Bright red "P" logo of St Peter's School, representing quality education and global excellence.
St. Peter's School Barcelona
Guidelines for Families
To mitigate risks, health authorities recommend: No screen time for children under 2 years. Limit screen use to 1 hour for preschoolers and 2 hours for school-aged children. Establish screen-free times, such as during meals and before bedtime. Family involvement is crucial. Parents should set negotiated screen time limits and engage in discussions about usage and content, helping children reflect on their technology habits.
Continue reading
Helpful

Crear hábitos digitales saludables

El objetivo no es sólo reducir el tiempo frente a la pantalla, sino crear un equilibrio. La actividad física, el sueño, la dieta y las aficiones fuera de línea contribuyen a una relación más sana con la tecnología.

Bright red "P" logo of St Peter's School, representing quality education and global excellence.
St. Peter's School Barcelona
Interventions for Balance
Interventions aimed at improving children’s relationships with technology should go beyond merely reducing screen time. Instead, they should focus on promoting healthy behaviors and family cohesion. Strategies include: Encouraging physical activity and outdoor play; maintaining a consistent sleep schedule; promoting a healthy diet and avoiding screens during meals; engaging in non-screen activities such as reading or arts; maintaining open communication about online safety. These approaches foster a holistic view of well-being, ensuring that technology is integrated into children’s lives in a balanced way.
Continue reading
Helpful
Bright red "P" logo of St Peter's School, representing quality education and global excellence.
St. Peter's School Barcelona
Interventions for Balance
Interventions aimed at improving children’s relationships with technology should go beyond merely reducing screen time. Instead, they should focus on promoting healthy behaviors and family cohesion. Strategies include: Encouraging physical activity and outdoor play; maintaining a consistent sleep schedule; promoting a healthy diet and avoiding screens during meals; engaging in non-screen activities such as reading or arts; maintaining open communication about online safety. These approaches foster a holistic view of well-being, ensuring that technology is integrated into children’s lives in a balanced way.
Continue reading
Helpful

Conclusión: La tecnología debe considerarse una herramienta, no una amenaza.

La tecnología debe considerarse una herramienta, no una amenaza. Con los límites y la orientación adecuados, puede ayudar a los niños a desarrollar habilidades críticas, creatividad y conciencia global. La clave está en el equilibrio: fomentar un uso responsable y, al mismo tiempo, dejar tiempo para el juego, el descanso y la vida familiar.

Bright red "P" logo of St Peter's School, representing quality education and global excellence.
St. Peter's School Barcelona
Collaboration is essential
As St Peter’s School demonstrates, collaboration between educators and parents is essential. By fostering open conversations, updating policies, and modeling healthy digital habits, schools and families can help young people become ethical, competent, and confident digital citizens.
Continue reading
Helpful
Bright red "P" logo of St Peter's School, representing quality education and global excellence.
St. Peter's School Barcelona
Collaboration is essential
As St Peter’s School demonstrates, collaboration between educators and parents is essential. By fostering open conversations, updating policies, and modeling healthy digital habits, schools and families can help young people become ethical, competent, and confident digital citizens.
Continue reading
Helpful

Lo que dicen las escuelas

Las escuelas con experiencia práctica en este tema comparten su perspectiva.
Bright red "P" logo of St Peter's School, representing quality education and global excellence.
St. Peter's School Barcelona
Educating for Responsible Use
St Peter’s School, alongside families, takes on the responsibility of educating our students in the conscious and responsible use of devices and digital content. Last year, we initiated a reflection process on the impact of technology on the younger generations, the so-called digital natives, and the role that families and schools should play in their ethical and cognitive development. This process began with a roundtable discussion, during which several parents shared their concerns and offered several solutions and proposals. Based on their contributions, we reviewed and updated our device policy, adjusting it to the current concerns, challenges, and needs.
Continue reading
Helpful
Bright red "P" logo of St Peter's School, representing quality education and global excellence.
St. Peter's School Barcelona
Potential Benefits
Research indicates that screen use can promote family bonding and cognitive development. Educational content can improve academic performance and stimulate creativity. Digital competence is increasingly crucial for success in today’s job market, equipping students with necessary skills for a tech-driven future.
Continue reading
Helpful
Bright red "P" logo of St Peter's School, representing quality education and global excellence.
St. Peter's School Barcelona
Key Risks
Despite the benefits, there are notable risks associated with excessive screen time, particularly for younger children. Concerns include disrupted sleep patterns, sedentary behavior, and potential mental health issues. Key risks include: Sleep Disruption: Screen use, especially before bedtime, can lead to difficulties in falling asleep and shorter sleep durations. Mental Health Issues: Excessive screen time has been linked to depressive symptoms, particularly from inappropriate content exposure. Language Development: For children under two, screen time may negatively impact language acquisition and development. Behavioral Problems: High screen usage is correlated with attention issues and hyperactivity in young children.
Continue reading
Helpful
Bright red "P" logo of St Peter's School, representing quality education and global excellence.
St. Peter's School Barcelona
Guidelines for Families
To mitigate risks, health authorities recommend: No screen time for children under 2 years. Limit screen use to 1 hour for preschoolers and 2 hours for school-aged children. Establish screen-free times, such as during meals and before bedtime. Family involvement is crucial. Parents should set negotiated screen time limits and engage in discussions about usage and content, helping children reflect on their technology habits.
Continue reading
Helpful
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