Losing the skill of forming relationships due to increased screen-time (PDF)

Seminar paper from the year 2021 in the subject Psychology - Social Psychology, grade: 1,0, University of Koblenz-Landau (RPTU), course: Literary studies, language: English, abstract: In this term paper, I will discuss the effect of the constantly increasing screen-time on the empathy of children and adolescence furthermore to what extent there is a possibility of resulting problems with forming relationships due to the lack of empathy induced by the steadily increasing screen-time. In this term paper, I will talk about children referring to individuals from the age of three to thirteen and adolescents from thirteen to eighteen years old.

Digitalization has an enormous impact on today's societies and plays a significant role for many purposes such as entertainment, education, information, healthcare, and most importantly in communication. Digital innovations and development, especially in the field of socio-technology, brought a change in interpersonal communication and relationships.

First, I will begin with the declaration of the concept of empathy and its origin in section two. Following I will head deeper into the fundamental parts of social development to generate a solid base for the second aspect talked about which is the formation of interpersonal relationships. The next topic I will address in section three concerning the role of devices in the daily routine of a child or adolescents in times of social media and gaming followed by the differentiation of the two major ideas of content and their impact on younger people. In section four I will analyze the connection between the topics addressed above. In the conclusion, I will answer the question whether there are effects of the usage of devices on the social behavior ensued by the lack of empathy.