Research on the use of social media/screen time and it impacts children’s emotional, social, & cognitive development
Sample solution
Dante Alighieri played a critical role in the literature world through his poem Divine Comedy that was written in the 14th century. The poem contains Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso. The Inferno is a description of the nine circles of torment that are found on the earth. It depicts the realms of the people that have gone against the spiritual values and who, instead, have chosen bestial appetite, violence, or fraud and malice. The nine circles of hell are limbo, lust, gluttony, greed and wrath. Others are heresy, violence, fraud, and treachery. The purpose of this paper is to examine the Dante’s Inferno in the perspective of its portrayal of God’s image and the justification of hell.
In this epic poem, God is portrayed as a super being guilty of multiple weaknesses including being egotistic, unjust, and hypocritical. Dante, in this poem, depicts God as being more human than divine by challenging God’s omnipotence. Additionally, the manner in which Dante describes Hell is in full contradiction to the morals of God as written in the Bible. When god arranges Hell to flatter Himself, He commits egotism, a sin that is common among human beings (Cheney, 2016). The weakness is depicted in Limbo and on the Gate of Hell where, for instance, God sends those who do not worship Him to Hell. This implies that failure to worship Him is a sin.
God is also depicted as lacking justice in His actions thus removing the godly image. The injustice is portrayed by the manner in which the sodomites and opportunists are treated. The opportunists are subjected to banner chasing in their lives after death followed by being stung by insects and maggots. They are known to having done neither good nor bad during their lifetimes and, therefore, justice could have demanded that they be granted a neutral punishment having lived a neutral life. The sodomites are also punished unfairly by God when Brunetto Lattini is condemned to hell despite being a good leader (Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). While he commited sodomy, God chooses to ignore all the other good deeds that Brunetto did.
Finally, God is also portrayed as being hypocritical in His actions, a sin that further diminishes His godliness and makes Him more human. A case in point is when God condemns the sin of egotism and goes ahead to commit it repeatedly. Proverbs 29:23 states that “arrogance will bring your downfall, but if you are humble, you will be respected.” When Slattery condemns Dante’s human state as being weak, doubtful, and limited, he is proving God’s hypocrisy because He is also human (Verdicchio, 2015). The actions of God in Hell as portrayed by Dante are inconsistent with the Biblical literature. Both Dante and God are prone to making mistakes, something common among human beings thus making God more human.
To wrap it up, Dante portrays God is more human since He commits the same sins that humans commit: egotism, hypocrisy, and injustice. Hell is justified as being a destination for victims of the mistakes committed by God. The Hell is presented as being a totally different place as compared to what is written about it in the Bible. As a result, reading through the text gives an image of God who is prone to the very mistakes common to humans thus ripping Him off His lofty status of divine and, instead, making Him a mere human. Whether or not Dante did it intentionally is subject to debate but one thing is clear in the poem: the misconstrued notion of God is revealed to future generations.
References
Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). Dante’s inferno: Seven deadly sins in scientific publishing and how to avoid them. Addiction Science: A Guide for the Perplexed, 267.
Cheney, L. D. G. (2016). Illustrations for Dante’s Inferno: A Comparative Study of Sandro Botticelli, Giovanni Stradano, and Federico Zuccaro. Cultural and Religious Studies, 4(8), 487.
Verdicchio, M. (2015). Irony and Desire in Dante’s” Inferno” 27. Italica, 285-297.
Sample Answer
Sample Answer
Title: The Impact of Social Media and Screen Time on Children’s Emotional, Social, and Cognitive Development: A Comprehensive Review
Introduction
In the digital age, children are increasingly exposed to social media platforms and spend significant amounts of time engaging with screens. This has raised concerns about the potential impact of social media and screen time on their emotional, social, and cognitive development. This essay will provide a comprehensive review of research on this topic, examining the effects of social media use and screen time on children’s emotional well-being, social interactions, and cognitive abilities.
I. Emotional Development
Impact on self-esteem: Research suggests that excessive social media use can contribute to negative self-perceptions and decreased self-esteem among children. Constant exposure to curated images and idealized lifestyles may lead to feelings of inadequacy and comparison.
Mental health implications: Excessive screen time, particularly on social media platforms, has been associated with an increased risk of mental health issues such as anxiety and depression. Cyberbullying and exposure to harmful content can further exacerbate these risks.
II. Social Development
Impaired social skills: Spending excessive time on screens has been linked to a decline in face-to-face communication skills and reduced empathy. Limited opportunities for real-time social interactions may hinder the development of important social skills necessary for healthy relationships.
Cyberbullying and peer relationships: Social media platforms can serve as a platform for cyberbullying, which can have detrimental effects on children’s well-being and social relationships. The anonymity provided by online platforms can amplify the negative impact of bullying.
III. Cognitive Development
Attention and concentration: Excessive screen time, particularly when used for passive entertainment purposes, has been associated with decreased attention span and difficulties in focusing on tasks. Constant multitasking between various screens can impair cognitive abilities.
Academic performance: Studies have found a negative correlation between excessive screen time and academic achievement. Spending prolonged periods engaged in screen activities may reduce time spent on homework, reading, or engaging in other intellectually stimulating activities.
Conclusion
The research indicates that social media use and excessive screen time can have significant impacts on children’s emotional, social, and cognitive development. It is crucial for parents, educators, and policymakers to be aware of these potential risks and implement strategies to mitigate their negative effects. Encouraging healthy screen habits, promoting open communication about online experiences, fostering real-time social interactions, and providing guidance on responsible social media use are essential steps in supporting children’s well-rounded development in the digital age. Additionally, further research is needed to explore the long-term effects of social media use and screen time on children’s development to inform evidence-based interventions and guidelines.
