International Journal of Research and Innovation in Applied Science (IJRIAS)
Beyond the Home: Safe Technology Use, Digital Ethics, and the Urgent Need for Legal Frameworks to Protect Cognitive Development
Published May 27, 2026 • Vol. 11, Issue 5, pp. 648–656Open Access
DOI: 10.51584/IJRIAS.2026.11050055
Abstract
Digital technology has become embedded in nearly every aspect of modern childhood, transforming how children learn, communicate, play, and understand the world. While technological access offers educational and social benefits, increasing evidence suggests that early and unregulated exposure to digital environments may also contribute to cognitive overload, reduced attention span, dependency patterns, shallow information processing, and diminished critical thinking. Existing approaches largely frame digital safety as a matter of parental supervision or individual responsibility. However, this paper argues that such framing is insufficient given the ubiquity, persuasive design, and developmental impact of technology.
Keywords: digital ethics; technology regulation; childhood cognition; public policy
| Journal | International Journal of Research and Innovation in Applied Science (IJRIAS) |
|---|---|
| ISSN | 2454-6194 |
| Volume / Issue | Volume 11, Issue 5 |
| Pages | 648–656 |
| Publication date | May 27, 2026 |
| DOI | 10.51584/IJRIAS.2026.11050055 |
| Publisher | RSIS International |
| License | Open Access |
How to cite this article
Ms. Elizabeth Njeri Ngigi (2026). Beyond the Home: Safe Technology Use, Digital Ethics, and the Urgent Need for Legal Frameworks to Protect Cognitive Development. International Journal of Research and Innovation in Applied Science (IJRIAS), 11(5), 648-656. https://doi.org/10.51584/IJRIAS.2026.11050055
BibTeX
@article{Ms2026,
title = {Beyond the Home: Safe Technology Use, Digital Ethics, and the Urgent Need for Legal Frameworks to Protect Cognitive Development},
author = {Ms. Elizabeth Njeri Ngigi},
journal = {International Journal of Research and Innovation in Applied Science (IJRIAS)},
volume = {11},
number = {5},
pages = {648--656},
year = {2026},
doi = {10.51584/IJRIAS.2026.11050055},
publisher = {RSIS International}
}