If your child needs television shows or video games to feel better, this could be a telltale sign of screen dependency disorder.
Researchers suggest that frequent digital device usage by children leads to mood disorders like depression and anxiety by changing their brain structure, with lasting ramifications for their social skills and behavior.
A New Challenge for Child Neurology and Public Health
Recent studies have demonstrated that children who spend too much time watching screens have thinner cortexes - the outermost layer of their brain that processes sensory data, plays an integral part in learning and decision-making, and provides important cognitive function benefits. Researchers believe this may explain why children who spend too much time staring at screens tend to perform worse on cognitive tests; furthermore, another recent study also discovered they tend not to engage in other healthy activities like sports or art as often.
Children between 3-6 years old have their brains at their most crucial developmental stage, meaning long-term exposure to digital devices can have serious implications on neural development and cause health problems such as lack of sleep, obesity, itchy or dry eyes, snoring, mood swings, headaches, eye sight problems and an inability to focus on other tasks. Blue light from phones and tablets may also inhibit secretion of melatonin hormone and lead to insomnia and other sleeping problems.
Deliberate use of electronic devices may impede one's ability to engage in authentic social interactions, leading to isolation and depression. Prolonged exposure also hinders development of the frontal lobe - an area of the brain responsible for empathy and understanding others - which helps us read their emotions and bodies accurately.
Parents may find it challenging to identify when their child or teenager has become addicted to his/her phone, tablet or computer because the behavior may appear normal to them. They may mistake it for teenage angst or acting out; but in actuality the issue could be serious and require behavioral and medical treatments in order to overcome its detrimental effects.
There are various warning signs, but one of the more visible ones is when a child or teenager resists changing, even when their parent insists upon setting limits for screen time. This behavior, known as resistance to change, is a telltale sign of addiction. Other warnings signs could include loss of interest in other activities and an inability to concentrate on schoolwork or work projects as well as an unwillingness to interact with peers and socialize normally.
The Dangers of Screen Addiction
Contrary to what is commonly believed, screen dependency can have negative psychological, social and health impacts that exceed physical harm. Signs of addiction include being unable to stop using devices, losing interest in other activities and preoccupation with screens; those addicted may even experience withdrawal symptoms when not able to use devices, including irritation and anxiety; this addiction may interfere with personal relationships leading to conflict and disconnection within families.
Children at risk are especially prone to screen addiction. Not only can excessive screen time waste valuable time that could otherwise be used practicing motor, communication and interpersonal skills; excessive screen time may even delay cognitive development due to its blue light emissions blocking melatonin production essential for sleep and optimal brain function - it is recommended that children refrain from all screens one hour before bedtime!
Studies have revealed that children who spend too much time staring at screens are more likely to display aggression and have difficulty focusing, communicating, empathizing and empathizing with others. Furthermore, they tend to miss nonverbal cues such as facial expressions, tone of voice and eye contact which help them comprehend other people.
Addiction to screens has numerous health impacts, from obesity and high blood pressure, heart disease and diabetes to losing social connections with peers and classmates. Overexposure can even result in kids developing sensory processing disorder or becoming physically disinterested with life altogether.
Screen addiction can have significant adverse psychological repercussions for children, leading them down a path toward depression and other mood disorders. Studies have revealed that children suffering from depression are more likely to turn to technology as a source of distraction and comfort - this also applies for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder who are known for using technology as an escape route from problems and hiding from reality.
Parents should watch for signs of screen addiction in their children. For example, if they spend too much time looking at their phone and ignoring those around them when present - an indicator that the child might be dependent on screens. Furthermore, anger or agitation when not using devices should serve as warning signals.
How Excessive Screen Time Impairs Children?s Neurological Health
Children who spend too much time watching screens may suffer a range of physical and psychological complications, including sleep deprivation, poorer cognition and social skills, eye strain from blue light exposure, poor posture, weak muscle development, sagging wrists/hands, headaches, obesity and lack of empathy. Furthermore, their reliance on screens interferes with family life and physical activities which is often the source of depression for teens; screen addiction even has withdrawal symptoms similar to drug dependency resulting in similar behaviors from withdrawal and impulsiveness compared with drug dependence!
National Institutes of Health researchers recently conducted a study revealing that children who spend over two hours per day on devices perform poorly on developmental screening tests and have thinner cortexes (the part of the brain responsible for critical thinking). Early childhood is when frontal lobe development begins most actively - it depends on authentic human interactions to form. At this age, children learn how to read people and comprehend emotions - children addicted to devices can become angry when denied access.
Children who rely heavily on mobile phones and tablets tend to ignore the world around them, leading them into loneliness and isolation. Some children who spend too much time staring at screens have shown symptoms of depression, anxiety and suicidal thoughts; excessive screen use has also been linked with sagging muscles, joint and back pain, sagging jowls, eye problems such as strabismus/cock eyes as well as poor posture; in addition, blue light from mobile phones emitting blue light can damage retinas further aggravating glare syndrome symptoms.
The Screen Dedependence Scale (SDS) is a 15-item questionnaire that can be completed within 5 minutes. It measures the degree to which a child depends on screens, how their use impacts their daily lives and if their usage interferes with school and home activities. Available online and translated into several languages for convenience use within clinical trials with youth suffering from screen addictions, the SDS provides valuable data regarding screen dependence.
What Parents Can Do
Parents need to take proactive measures when their children exhibit screen addiction, working together with them on creating reasonable rules about media use. Children tend to respond better when given input into setting rules governing media usage - this helps them understand why there are rules in place and more likely leads to compliance than parental warnings which often lead to power struggles. Parents can set an example by limiting their own screen time, selecting nutritious food options and participating in fun family activities without screens.
Parents looking for assistance setting rules may turn to the American Academy of Pediatrics' Family Media Plan as an interactive tool. This interactive plan allows the entire family to allocate certain times and activities (such as "screen-free" times and non-screen activities) according to an agreed upon family media plan, with designated "screen-free" periods and non-screen activities suggested as "free time." All family members should agree and follow its rules; doing so will show children that parents aren't trying to judge or punish them but instead are simply trying to promote an healthy lifestyle full of physical and social activities.
Another way to limit excessive screen time is to introduce children to activities that engage both their bodies and minds - such as sports, art, board games or simply playing with friends in person. This will give them something else to focus their energy and feel satisfied doing - thus decreasing temptation for more screen time usage.
Parents must remember that screen addiction may be the result of deeper psychological issues like anxiety and depression. Therefore, working with a therapist first to address such concerns might prove helpful when trying to curb screen dependency in their child.
Many researchers are currently exploring how parents and guardians can make smarter choices about digital technology for the benefit of learning and development, while minimizing its negative effect on health and well-being. At present, parents should ensure their children engage in educational and social activities outside their screens to maximize long-term development.
