Too much screen time affects the development of the brain during pre-adolescent and teenagers NEW YORK — A generation ago, parents worried about the effects of TV; before that, it was radio. Now, the concern is “screen time,” a catchall term for the amount of time that children, especially preteens and teenagers, spend interacting with TVs, computers, smartphones, digital pads and video games. This age group draws particular attention because screen immersion rises sharply during adolescence, and because brain development accelerates then, too, as neural networks are pruned and consolidated in the transition to adulthood. On Sunday evening, CBS’ “60 Minutes” reported on early results from the ABCD Study (for Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development), a US$300 million (S$412 million) project financed by the National Institutes of Health. As part of an exposé on screen time, “60 Minutes” reported that heavy screen use was associated with lower scores on some aptitude tests, and to accelerated “cortical thinning” — a natural process — in some children. Not convincingly. Yes.
Gray Matters: Too Much Screen Time Damages the Brain Source: Lin, Zhou,Lei, et al., used with permission. Red areas designate abnormal white matter in internet addicted teens “Taken together, [studies show] internet addiction is associated with structural and functional changes in brain regions involving emotional processing, executive attention, decision making, and cognitive control.” --research authors summarizing neuro-imaging findings in internet and gaming addiction (Lin & Zhou et al, 2012) article continues after advertisement But what about kids who aren't "addicted" per se? Although many parents have a nagging sense that they should do more to limit screen-time, they often question whether there’s enough evidence to justify yanking coveted devices, rationalize that it’s “part of our kids’ culture,” or worry that others—such as a spouse—will undermine their efforts. Brain scan research findings in screen addiction: In short, excessive screen-time appears to impair brain structure and function. References:
Screentime Is Making Kids Moody, Crazy and Lazy Source: pathdoc/fotolia Children or teens who are “revved up” and prone to rages or—alternatively—who are depressed and apathetic have become disturbingly commonplace. Chronically irritable children are often in a state of abnormally high arousal, and may seem “wired and tired.” That is, they’re agitated but exhausted. Because chronically high arousal levels impact memory and the ability to relate, these kids are also likely to struggle academically and socially. article continues after advertisement At some point, a child with these symptoms may be given a mental-health diagnosis such as major depression, bipolar disorder, or ADHD, and offered corresponding treatments, including therapy and medication. What’s happening? Both parents and clinicians may be “barking up the wrong tree.” If done correctly, this intervention can produce deeper sleep, a brighter and more even mood, better focus and organization, and an increase in physical activity. It’s a beautiful thing. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.
Overload of Screen Time ‘Causes Depression in Children’ British children who spend most time in front of televisions and computer screens have lower self-esteem and greater emotional problems, according to a study published today by Public Health England. The report found that excessive “screen time” – more than four hours a day – was linked to anxiety and depression and was responsible for limiting a child’s opportunity for social interaction and physical activity. “The greater the time spent in front of the screen, the greater the negative impact on both behavioural and emotional issues relating to the child’s development,” said Professor Kevin Fenton, director of health and wellbeing at PHE. We’ll tell you what’s true. From 15p €0.18 $0.18 USD 0.27 a day, more exclusives, analysis and extras. British children spend disproportionately large amounts of time in front of screens, compared to counterparts in other Western European countries, the report observed. Children’s wellbeing: Public Health England report’s findings Increased TV viewing Diet
What do kids do when there are no limits to their screen time? Video A fire has engulfed the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, one of the city's most iconic sights. The fire began at 6:50 p.m. local time Monday, the Paris fire department said, and continued to burn hours later. A French firefighter official told reporters the main structure of the cathedral has been saved and the two iconic main towers are intact and have been saved as well. French Mayor Anne Hidalgo said that authorities were evacuating people from buildings in the area -- including homes close to the cathedral Francois Guillot/AFP/Getty Images A spokesperson for the cathedral described the damage to French media as "colossal." "Everything is burning, nothing will remain from the frame," the spokesperson said. First responders are currently trying to salvage priceless art stored inside the cathedral, said Paris Deputy Mayor Emmanuel Gregoire. Images on social media show smoke and flames shooting from the top of Notre Dame as massive plumes of smoke billow into the sky above. 3:45 p.m. 3:50 p.m.
Digital advancement has improved our convenience and... How Too Much Screen Time Affects Kids' Bodies And Brains It’s no longer controversial to suggest that humans and their smartphones aren’t always a healthy combination. Strong research has been coming in over the last several years, suggesting that looking at screens for hours a day can have some serious health and mental health consequences. Even some of the developers of these products have admitted guilt about their creations, and confessed that they don’t even let their kids use them. A couple of recent studies highlight the connection, and an infographic below expands on it. One new study finds that time spent on screens is linked to not-so-great shifts in brain connectivity, while reading is linked to more beneficial changes. Another recent study found that the brain chemistry of kids who fell into the category of smartphone or Internet addiction was different from that of non-addicted kids. But what may be even more important than looking at the brain is looking at the behavior and the psychology of kids who use screens.
Dangers of Too Much Screen Time Baby John Tan loves spending time with his friends Dave and Ava, but his parents are concerned about his choice of company. Although Dave and Ava help the 16-month-old learn English through nursery rhymes, they live behind an electronic tablet screen. John is allowed to watch them on YouTube at his grandparents' house when his parents are at work. But John's parents, Mr Tan Wei Yi, 32, and his wife Stacy, 33, keep him away from a screen at home. The dilemma they face is increasingly common in Singapore. A 2015 study published in the Early Childhood Education Journal showed that children under the age of seven in Singapore spend at least an hour a day on smartphones and touchscreen tablets. This figure may be under- reported, said Dr Jiow Hee Jhee, 45, associate professor of health and social science at the Singapore Institute of Technology. The constant availability and portability of handheld devices make their influence more complex than older technology. Do’s and don’ts for tiny tots 1.
No Screen Time: 30-day Experiment with my Kids - Uplifting Mayhem Does this sound familiar in your home?: Morning: “The house is a disaster. You can watch ONE show while I clean up.” Afternoon: “Okay, mommy needs a break. Late afternoon: “Alright, fine! Evening: “I guess if we watch a movie together it will count as family time.” Okay, so my kids don’t always have eight hours of screen time everyday, but sometimes it feels like it. Crazy, right? But let me start at the beginning … 24 years ago. According to this article from nationalpost.com, too much screen time can result in reduced attachment between parent and child and impedes social interactions. Here is another great article from habyts.com that shows other negative effects that occur from too much screen time. Less than one year ago, the American Academy of Pediatrics released new recommendations for children’s screen time (time spent using digital media for entertainment purposes). So, the professionals say too much screen time is not good. Day 15- We own a TV? Day 30- We did it!
As you can refer to the statistic of Australian children... Television Watching and “Sit Time” | Obesity Prevention Source Research conducted at Harvard first linked TV watching to obesity more than 25 years ago. (5) Since then, extensive research has confirmed the link between TV viewing and obesity in children and adults, in countries around the world. And there’s good evidence that cutting back on TV time can help with weight control-part of the reason why many organizations recommend that children and teens limit TV/media time to no more than two hours per day. This article briefly outlines the research on how TV viewing and other sedentary activities contribute to obesity risk, and why reducing screen time and sedentary time are important targets for obesity prevention. TV Viewing and Childhood Obesity Several trials designed to reduce children’s TV use have found improvements in body mass index (BMI), body fat, and other obesity-related measures. (15–18) Based on this evidence, the U.S. TV Viewing and Adult Obesity TV reduction trials have focused largely on children, not adults. Total Time Sitting 1.
Too Much Screen Time May Be Damaging Children’s Eyesight There is new evidence that spending too much time using digital devices could hurt children's eyesight. A study published in the journal PLOS One finds school-aged children who spent seven hours or more a week using computers or mobile video games tripled their risk for myopia, or nearsightedness. Rates of myopia have increased worldwide in recent years. In the United States and Europe, nearly half of young adults have the condition -- double the prevalence of 50 years ago. Rates are even higher in Asia. One reason for this is the increasing amount of time kids are spending in front of screens. "The reason why that's a problem is not so much that the device is sending some magic signal to the eye that's damaging it, it's that when you're on those devices you tend to be inside and not outdoors in the sunlight," Dr. Sunlight plays an important role in protecting vision, as it triggers dopamine, a neurotransmitter which keeps the eye from getting too elongated during childhood.
Beurkens (2017) reported that excessive screen time... How does your child's screen time measure up? The Parent Curve offers a look at the norms and numbers around tough decisions parents face. Where are you on the curve? The American Academy of Pediatrics warns that overuse of digital media and screens can put children and teens at risk of obesity, sleep problems, cyberbullying and negative performance at school. Just how much time are children spending buried in screens? A report released this year by Common Sense Media said children up to age 8 spend an average of 2 hours and 19 minutes every day on screen media. That's an increase from 2011, when the average daily screen media time for the same age group was 1 hour 55 minutes. For 8- to 12-year-olds, the average time spent using screen media every day was 4 hours and 36 minutes, according to a 2015 Common Sense Media report. The report said the top activity among tweens was watching TV: Nearly 62% of those surveyed said they watch TV every day.