study shows that new technology is reducing children's ability to use pencil or pen. study is from National Health Service in UK. Researchers said that nowadays, children spend so much time swiping iPads or mobile phone screens that they cannot hold pencil properly. Children are not using pencils, so they now lack muscle strength in their hands to be able to write properly. Researcher Dr Sally Payne said: "Children are not coming into school with hand strength and [ability] they had 10 years ago. Children coming into school are being given pencil but are increasingly not able to hold it because they don't have fundamental movement skills."
researchers said technology is changing physical way that children write, draw or make things. Children are increasingly using technology to create. Dr Payne explained why. She said: "It's easier to give child iPad than encourage them to do muscle-building play such as building blocks, cutting and sticking, or pulling toys and ropes. Because of this, they're not developing underlying foundation skills they need to grip and hold pencil." Some experts say technology may be causing bigger problems. One expert said if child isn't strong enough to hold pencil, perhaps their whole body is weak. She said it was better for children's physical development to climb trees than to watch YouTube videos.
