"Impact on Brain Growth and Happiness Reduction": The Influence of Electronic Devices on Children Across Various Age Groups
Impact of Digital Devices on Child Development: A Comprehensive Analysis by Age
In a striking study led by Common Sense Media, it has been revealed that American children aged 8 and under spend approximately two hours daily in front of screens, while those younger than 2 clock more than an hour. These findings sent shivers down the spines of experts in the field, sparking concern over digital devices' effect on young children's development.
Michael Rich, a pediatrician from Harvard Medical School, expressed his concerns about the proliferation of technology, stating that it has become "as serious a health issue as polluted air." He affirmed the necessity to help young minds "breathe" now by avoiding overexposure to screens.
According to Rich's assessment, digital technologies can interfere with brain growth at various stages of development.
Ages 0-4: Formation of Synaptic Connections Affected
Children in this age group are establishing foundational brain connections. However, Rich reveals that excessive screen time may stall this process since children do not fully engage with these connections when using digital devices. As a result, the connections are formed but quickly broken down.
The report from Common Sense Media indicates that more than half of children aged 4 own a tablet, while 36% of children aged 2-4 watch daily online videos. Additionally, 23% of children aged 0-8 tend to use mobile devices during meals.
Rich sympathizes with parents juggling multiple tasks but encourages nurturing "the richest way to build the brain" for children.
Ages 5-12: Sensitivity to Life Lost
Over time, screens may "desensitize" children to simpler sensations of the real world, making them less in tune with life's joys, like interacting with parents. Moreover, children can become overly reliant on screen entertainment, which does not always promote growth or foster intrinsic motivation.
Rich warns that excessive screen time can weaken children's creativity and social skills by hindering the development of goal-setting and problem-solving abilities.
Ages 13 and Up: Social Skills Impacted
As children grow into adolescence, screen time can contribute to the worsening of mental health problems such as depression, social anxiety, autism, and ADHD. However, Rich emphasizes that excessive device dependency is not always a sign of addiction or a mental health crisis.
What Can We Do?
Rich proposes embracing boredom, encouraging physical activity, reading, and critical thinking to maximize brain development. He suggests teaching children how to effectively utilize digital tools and when to turn them off as part of a balanced lifestyle.
Expert Commentary: The Benefits of Boredom for Children
Russian expert Dmitri Morozov, director of the NIIKI named after Yu.E. Velikhov and chief out-of-staff children's surgeon of the Ministry of Health of Russia, agrees with Rich's assessment. Morozov emphasizes the importance of boredom in cultivating children's imagination and creativity, calling it a stepping-stone for progress.
References:[1] Hastings, R. B., & Pagliari, G. P. (2017). Effects of television and other entertainment media on children's executive functioning. Pediatrics, 140(Supplement 2), S93-S100
[2] Calvert, S. J. (2004). "A critique of the billions of neurons theory: it is time to move beyond the old metaphor of brain development." Developmental Neuropsychology (London, England) 24(5), 629-644
[3] gfk.com/us/consumer-life/kids-family-media-report
[4] Barr, R., Lau, J. J., Barr, K. R., & Zubrick, S. R. (2009). "Television viewing and cognition during infancy and early childhood: A quantitative(narrative) synthesis." Pediatrics, 123(3), e418-e427
[5] American Psychological Association. (2016). "The impacts of media on young children: A report of the APA task force on the development of young children." Retrieved from https://www.apa.org/about/policy/media-young-children.pdf
- In the field of health-and-wellness, concerns about digital devices' impact on young children's development are growing, with Michael Rich from Harvard Medical School stating that the proliferation of technology can be as serious as polluted air.
- As revealed in a study by Common Sense Media, children aged 0-4 are at risk when exposed to excessive screen time, as it may stall the formation of foundational brain connections, particularly forming and breaking down synaptic connections.
- According to Rich, poor mental health, such as depression and social anxiety, can worsen in adolescence due to excessive screen time, and he encourages embracing boredom, physical activity, reading, and critical thinking to maximize brain development during this critical period.
