Any parent would like their child to be entertained and learn new things, as this is a common aspect of their development. Because gadgets such as smartphones, tablets, and gaming consoles are highly popular among children, considering their effects on growing generations is essential. While such devices can offer hours of entertainment and learning, the excessive exposure to screens, as well as the content available online, could have an adverse influence on children, especially those younger than 13 years old.
Physical Activity
Researchers have excessively studied the relationship between the excessive use of gadgets and children’s development. When a child plays with their phone the entire day, it usually means that they would not get the needed amount of exercise, which are essential not only for muscle building but also for the healthy functioning of the brain. According to Dr John Ratey from Harvard Medical School, getting good grades at school or showing good performance in kindergarten is directly related to regular physical activity (Ratey and Hagerman 20). Despite the potential learning benefits of electronic devices, the absence of exercises and the overall activeness among children is concerning.
Mental Health
Mental and behavioral development is at risk when children use electronic devices excessively. Such problems as addictive behavior, aggression, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) may arise when children are exposed to large quantities of video games or online content. Children who have already been diagnosed with such conditions as ADHD are especially sensitive to the excessive digital device use because of the characteristics of their neuropsychological profile (Clark et al. 73). Playing computer games that show violence may lead to variable aggressive behaviors among children that have personality traits with aggressive cognitions (Clark et al. 73).
Because of this, considering the mental and behavioral health of children is imperative prior to exposing them to different kinds of online content or games. For example, it may be beneficial to create screen-free days throughout the week to help families reduce the risks of behavioral and psychological issues associated with digital device use (Twenge and Campbell 272). Setting boundaries may be a complicated task for parents; however, it is necessary for creating a balance between online entertainment and other activities that facilitate children’s mental development, such as reading, writing, or engaging with other children of their age.
Eyesight
The impact of digital device use on eyes is also significant to consider. After looking at screens for several hours, children can experience eye strain, or the computer vision syndrome, which represents as red, sore, and dry eyes. Another issue that can occur pertains to blurry vision and difficulties with seeing words moving on the screen because of the lack of proper alignment. According to Dr Tay Su Ann from Singapore National Eye Center, playing with handheld digital devices “constitutes near work, which has been shown to be associated with myopia (commonly known as short-sightedness.” Beyond short-sightedness, it is also possible for children to develop less common eye conditions that occur as results of prolonged near-work periods.
For example, accommodative insufficiency, which refers to the impaired ability of eyes to converge or focus, can be a significant problem for children (Raghuram et al. 1090). In healthy development, eyesight problems should not be an issue, which is why it is important to prevent children from having eye fatigue or double vision that will lead to further complications during adolescence.
Brain Development
It is also essential to consider the issue of brain development when it comes to the exposure of children to digital screens. As mentioned by Dr Jenny Radesky from the Behavioral Pediatrics Department at the University of Boston, allowing toddlers as young as two or three years old play with gadgets excessively will inevitably affect their cognitive development (“The Merits of Reading Real Books to Your Children”). At a young age, children should develop motor, visual, and spatial skills that are imperative for healthy development. The problem exasperates when parents give digital devices to their children when the latter are having tantrums.
While it is understandable that parents want to calm down their children, the method cannot be viewed as a substitute for learning how to control strong emotions or interact with the outside world. It is imperative for parents to develop a positive relationship with their children when it comes to the use of digital devices. There should be a sense of understanding that playtime should be limited in order to have room for other healthy activities.
Summary
While digital devices offer various ways for entertaining children, parents should be cautious about allowing their kids to use them excessively. Using gadgets one to two hours a day may provide some entertainment and learning opportunities. However, “too much” is never a good idea given the evidence for the adverse impact of digital devices on the eyesight, mental health, physical activity, and brain development. When children are young, it is imperative to ensure that they develop as well-rounded individuals with a variety of physical, social, and learning skills, and the excessive use of gadgets may limit such healthy development.
References
Clark, Lee Anna, et al. “Three Approaches to Understanding and Classifying Mental Disorder: ICD-11, DSM-5, and the National Institute of Mental Health’s Research Domain Criteria (RDoC).” Psychological Science in the Public Interest, vol. 18, no. 2, 2017, pp. 72-145.
Raghuram, Aparna et al. “Frequency of Visual Deficits in Children with Developmental Dyslexia.” JAMA Ophthalmology, vol. 136, no. 10, 2018, pp. 1089-1095.
Ratey, John, and Eric Hagerman. Spark: The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the Brain. Little, 2013.
Tay, Su Ann. “Children Using Mobile Devices: Can It Cause Eye Problems?” Health Xchange. Web.
“The Merits of Reading Real Books to Your Children.” Iage. 2016. Web.
Twenge, Jean, and Keith Campbell. “Associations Between Screen Time and Lower Psychological Well-Being Among Children and Adolescents: Evidence from a Population-Based Study.” Preventive Medicine Reports, vol. 12, 2018, pp. 271-283.