COMPUTERS - ADVANTAGES & DISADVANTAGES

Respected teachers & dear friends… Good morning to you all. I am Preeti
Ekambaram from 4th Standard A-Section. Today I am going to talk about
Advantages & Disadvantages of Computers.

Today, we find computers in use everywhere, whether we go to reserve a train

ticket or to a Bank. Over the past few years, computers have become a vastly
popular household item. The main advantages of using computers are:

 We can carry out majority of works faster and without mistakes/errors.

 Email messages are delivered faster & cheaper, bye bye to hand written
letters.

 Internet provides best knowledge on every aspect. Checking news,

weather, and sports via the Internet is a convenience that many are
taking advantage of.

 Lot of educational software titles targeting young children are available

now and they help the children learn very intuitively. It can help them
learn, for example, about letters, numbers, shapes, colors, and rhythm.
Good software can also help children develop their understanding of cause
and effect, higher order problem solving, procedural thinking, and creative
expression. Slowly traditions are being broken and the computer is
becoming a child’s learning tool.

 Most of the documents can be stored electronically thereby reduce the

requirement of storage space and make the table un-cluttered.

 Lot of real life activities like 3D-modeling, simulation etc., can be made
using computers at a fraction of cost.

 By using a computer children develop self-confidence and self-esteem as

they master computer skills and use the computer to make things happen.

The above advantages also bring along the dis-advantages.

 Computers are very engaging and can exercise a strong "holding power"
on children as well as adults. They really seem to mesmerize children.
With a result, children are not getting engaged in outdoor plays & social
gatherings. If they are sitting in front of the screen all day, they do not
learn to share, wait their turn, or even something as simples as manners.
 Computers can be misused and cannot provide all of the kinds of
experiences that are critical to a young child's development.

 The contents of information may not be age-appropriate, which may cause

negative influences on children.

 Frequent and prolonged computer sessions may pose physical health risks
for children.

 Improperly maintained computers can allow Virus to enter and destroy

large amount of work.
OK. To conclude, I must say that overall, the benefits outweigh the drawbacks.
And, the fact is, actively involved parents can control most of the drawbacks. We
must remember that "Computers supplement and do not replace highly valued
childhood activities and materials." We therefore should not neglect the
conventional activities.

Thank you and all the best.