Screens have become a huge part of our world today. They offer a world of information and entertainment at our fingertips. And while technology provides undeniable benefits to make our lives more convenient, it is imperative that parents are vigilant about the possible consequences of screentime.
Children are spending more and more time in front of screens, often leading to impairments in their overall well-being. Screen time for many children transforms into screen addiction. This addiction is becoming a growing concern for parents, educators, and healthcare professionals.
Screen addiction negatively impacts a child’s development and can lead to long-term complications in sleep, speech development, social skills, and attention. These consequences can follow children through their academic years and influence their ability to grow up to be healthy and well-rounded individuals.
Let’s take a closer look at some of the dangers of too much screen time:
Problems with sleep
Smartphones, tablets, and computers emit a blue light that interferes with the body’s natural production of melatonin – a hormone that helps regulate sleep. Exposure to these blue light screens, especially during the hours before bedtime, can make it more challenging to fall asleep and stay asleep. Parents can also relate to how engaging the content on screens can tempt us to stay awake, interacting with videos or games for longer than intended. Establishing healthy screen time boundaries is crucial for ensuring a good night's sleep.
Poor social skills
Excessive screen time often replaces face-to-face interactions, which are essential for developing social skills like empathy, communication, and understanding non-verbal cues. When individuals spend more time online or engrossed in digital content, they have limited opportunities to practice these crucial skills in real-life situations. This can result in difficulties forming and maintaining relationships, as well as challenges in navigating the complexities of social interactions. Children need help striking a balance between screen time and real-world social experiences.
Speech delay
Young children who engage in screen time are at risk of developing problems with speech and language. Excessive screen time often means less time for verbal interactions and face-to-face communication, which are essential for language development. Instead of engaging in conversations or listening to caregivers and peers, children may spend more time passively watching screens. This lack of meaningful verbal interaction can hinder their speech and language development. Screen time can also be distracting, making it challenging for children to focus on language-related activities like reading or storytelling.
Attention Span
Screen time can significantly impact an individual's attention span, particularly when they have unlimited access to fast-paced content and instant gratification online. The constant switching between videos, apps, or social websites trains the brain to seek out novel, quick rewards. This overstimulation from screens can reduce the ability to filter out distractions, leading to shorter attention spans. Which also leads to a decreased ability to sustain focus and concentration on tasks that require extended periods of attention – like reading or academic activities.
How can I tell if my child is addicted to screens?
In 2017, the University of Michigan put out a checklist of questions for parents to help them determine if their child may be experiencing screen addiction. These are the factors they asked parents to consider:
“Unsuccessful Control”
Does your child have trouble ending interactions with screens, putting screens away, or sticking to limits set for screen time?
“Loss of Interest”
Does your child seem to only be motivated by screens, avoiding other non-screen activities or hobbies?
“Preoccupation”
Does your child find it difficult to discuss or think about topics other than screen-based activities, games, or videos?
“Psychosocial Consequences”
Does your child’s use of screen time interfere with their social or family interactions? Are they constantly checking their tablets or phones even when there are options for face-to-face conversation?
“Serious Problems Due to Use”
Have you noticed an increase in behavioral problems or outbursts at home that may be related to excessive screen usage?
“Withdrawl”
Does your child exhibit signs of withdrawl (e.g. irritability, mood changes, depression/anxiety, sleep difficulty) when they are asked to end screen usage?
“Tolerance”
Has your child’s use of screens increased?
“Deception”
Does your child use sneaky behaviors to access screen time when limits are set?
“Escape/Relieve Mood”
Does your child use screen time as an escape or coping mechanism when they are having a tough time?
What can I do if I think my child is addicted to screens?
Recognizing these signs in your child is a first step to addressing the problem of screen addiction. Parents need to set clear boundaries regarding screen time and provide alternative activities that encourage a healthy balance between screen usage and real-world play. Check out this post on setting screen time limits and boundaries. If you are struggling to maintain screen time boundaries with your child, seek professional help in your local area for more support and ideas.
Domoff, Sarah. (2017, December, 1). Kids and screen time: Signs your child might be addicted. Michigan News. https://news.umich.edu/kids-and-screen-time-signs-your-child-might-be-addicted/
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