Technology has changed our lives at breathtaking speed. It would be foolhardy not to question how technology effects children.
For most of human history, we lived in a slowly changing “traditional” society. Parenting was similar from generation to generation and parents were the ones in charge of their children. My parents’ modest home was their castle, no outside influences crossed their threshold or threatened their values. Today? The world invades our homes through screens that are ubiquitous, relatively cheap, easy to use, and very attractive to our young.
This technological “candy” does affect children so parents must stay informed to protect children from harmful effects.
In both 1999 and 2011 the American Academy of Pediatrics recommended zero TV exposure in children under two and two hours or less for all others. But nearly half of children studied exceeded recommend viewing times. It’s hard to find a child under two who has not seen a TV screen or played with Mommy’s iPhone. Kids are in front of screens (TV, movies, video games, interactive gadgets) an average of 40 hours per week “…which is more time than they spend in any other activity except sleep,” wrote Douglas A. Gentile, PhD et al in JAMA (The Journal of the American Medical Association) Pediatrics.
Exposure to media has well documented negative effects: Displacement from healthy physical, social, and learning activities (outdoor play is a relic of childhood past). Children eat too much unhealthy food. They sleep less, have attention problems and lower academic performances. Content effects — exposure to sex, violence, drugs, antisocial behavior, unhealthy eating and drinking — all take a toll on how our kids think and feel about the world and behave toward others. It has been estimated that by age 18 the average child will have seen 200,000 acts of violence. I was raised in a violence-free zone.
The speed of change is a hallmarks of our technological society. The iPad was born in April 2010. Youngsters have already latched on to such interactive gadgets: 38 percent of children under two have used tablets or smart phones, up from 10 percent two years ago according to a Common Sense Media report.
Also in JAMA Pediatrics, Dimitri A. Christakis points out how media affects both child development and behavior: “What we watch affects how we act and, at least in the case of young children, the rapid pacing of the programs can impede executive function.” This is a biggie, parents. The brain’s executive function is needed for everything from learning, behaving in a pro-social way, and inventing what will replace the iPad.
Christakis compares positive features of iPad play with TV and traditional toys. A touch-screen device has all the features of a toy except three dimensionality. Television has none of these features. The simple act of reading a book to a child has all the features.
All interactive media add the “I did it myself!” feeling that affects the brain’s neural reward pathway. This feeling is addictive so the child begs for the iPad again and again.
Christakis feels that judicious, limited use of interactive media in young children might be acceptable. He suggests, acknowledging that there is no data, 30 minutes to one hour a day. I suggest special occasion, limited use.
“Parents, Wired to Distraction,” a New York Times article by pediatrician-author Perri Klass, cites a study in which researchers observed 55 children and adult pairs in fast food restaurants. Only 15 adults (either a parent or caregiver) did not use a mobile device. There was more adult-child engagement when the device was not used (duh!). According to psychologist Catherine Steiner-Adair, children “use words like sad, angry, mad, frustrated to describe how they feel when they cannot get their parents attention.” When don’t kids get their parent’s attention? When the parent is focused on a screen.
Parents, limit your child’s time in front of all screens. No screens in the child’s room at night. Protect your children from unsuitable content. Most important, don’t let screens displace your attention. When you are with your children, interact with them.
Children need strong family connections in today’s complicated, rapidly changing world. Connections are a “vaccine” that helps prevent children from feeling lost and alone in this world. Connect with your kids! The unfeeling Internet can wait.
