Learning Benefits

• Computers are an aid to learning for children. Children learn how to look up information that they are interested in or are assigned to learn in school, they learn how to type and to accurately improve their speed, they lean how to spell using spell checkers and they learn how to use different kinds of software. According to the Northwest Educational Technology Consortium, kids who use computers in learning have superior "gains in verbal and nonverbal skills, problem solving, abstraction and conceptual skill" as opposed to their peers who do not use computers in learning.
  
  

Physical Impact

• When children are sitting down and using a computer, they are usually spending a long period of time without any physical activity. It is easy to become very engaged in what you're doing on a computer, particularly when kids are playing games on a computer. This loss of physical activity can lead to health problems such as weight gain, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, eye strain and depression. It is known that physical activity helps to maintain a healthy mental state. According to Rebecca Rutledge, Ph.D., "That physical activity is a good outlet for a depressed child has already been explored. But it is also a beneficial preventative to depression."
  
  

Social Effects

• Although children spend a lot of time on social network websites, cyber socialization is really no substitute for face-to-face contact. It is important for the social development of children to interact with other kids their own age on a one-on-one basis, as well as in group situations. The more time a child spends on a computer, the less time he is spending with his friends, learning through play and social situations.
  
  

Adult Content

• The Internet allows access to a lot of content that is not appropriate for children. Unfortunately, it is easy for a curious child to access these sites by doing Web searches using keywords that contain sexual or violent content. Children can end up seeing graphic material that is intended for adults only. Additionally, pop-up websites can be accessed without the child intentionally trying to find them. These types of sites can be emotionally upsetting for many children.