I have a friend who bought her two-year old a brand new iPhone. She even got her a pink case with unicorns, because that’s her favourite animal right now.
“Its easier than having her demand to use my phone all the time.” She said. “Now we both get to be on our own screens together, at the same time. Family quality time!”
When someone asks her about how she’s managing the child’s screen time, she retorts in defense; “I’ve installed the child lock!”
Yeah, right — as if that solves the problem.
The biggest problem is, that SHE doesn’t see that giving a two-year old child their own device, is a problem.
I tried telling her. But she won’t listen.
So instead, I grit my teeth, and do my own research about how it’ll effect the child in the long run.
It’s Lazy Parenting
Bringing up babies in this modern world surrounded by screens, it’s hard to keep them off it. If a baby is howling for attention while they are trying to cook dinner, baby TV shows can feel like lifesavers in keeping the baby calm and contained.
But at what cost?
A new study from Singapore which studied data from 506 children has confirmed that excessive screen time during infancy is linked to detrimental outcomes in cognitive functions.
The study examined the association between screen time and EEG (electroencephalography) brain activity. The EEG readings revealed that infants who were exposed to longer screen time had greater “low-frequency” waves; i.e lack of cognitive alertness.
The study also found that as the duration of screen time increased, the more cognitive deficits were measured — even later in life. Children with executive functioning deficits often have difficulty controlling impulses, emotions or behaviours, sustaining attention and staying focused on a task.
The significant rise in number of children with neurodivergent conditions like ADHD is linked to excessive screen time too. A large study of 5-year olds compared the attention spans of kids who watched less than 30 minutes per day compared to those who watched more than 2 hours. The results are dramatic: the children who watched the screen the longest had 7.7 times more chance of meeting an ADHD diagnosis.
It is up to the parents to monitor and control the screen time a child is exposed to, especially during the critical windows of 0–5 years old. It might be easier to contain the child with the help of the screen, but that relief is only temporary.
It’s only going to cost them in the long run — with psychological assessments, psychologist bills and therapy visits.
Its Develops into an Addiction
Screens are like digital cocaine for children.
The immersive graphics, sound and action is delivered with the thrill of instant gratification. The pull is riveting and undeniable.
Most of us have seen children throwing tantrums when their screens are taken off them. They scream and shout, with teary eyes they beg for their device back, promising to do house chores and to be good. It is a symphony of frustration and desperation.
Does this sound familiar?
The irritability, restlessness and anxiety when the device is taken off them all mimics the withdrawal symptoms of addiction.
All addictions display similar symptoms, whether its a drug, alcohol, sex, gambling — you name it. If you need it to function effectively in life, and get irritable and restless when you don’t get it — it’s an addiction.
Children’s developing brain is even more prone to addictive qualities of technology. The constant stimulation from screens can alter brain chemistry and contribute to addictive behaviour.
Do you remember the Indonesian 4-year old boy with a cigarette smoking addiction that took the world by storm over a decade ago?
Well, we’re effectively feeding our children with digital cocaines every day but nobody bats an eyelid.
Age-Appropriate Screen Time
So what’s the appropriate amount of screentime for children?
The Norwegian Directorate of Health advises that children under two be kept away entirely from screens. Those between the ages of two and five should have a maximum of one hour of screen time a day.
He emphasises that it is not harmful for children to have a little bit of screen time. He is also aware that screens can help provide children with digital skills and learning.
“The point here is that there must be a balance. For children between the ages of two and five, it’s better to emphasise that they should be physically active and have social contact,”
I heard about this recommendation when I visited my friends in Norway with a 1.5 year old son. They don’t give him any screen time at all, and only plans to start introducing it for 15mins a day after he has reached 2 years old. Instead, they engage with the child through lots of play time using toys, books, nature walks, even camping!
It is tiring, of course. The parents are knackered on top of their fulltime jobs, managing the household and still trying to be an attentive, present parent. I knew this couple back when they were still university students, full of energy, travelling around the world — and now they are just so tired to even stay awake through dinner.
But being a parent isn’t supposed to be easy. The child demands A LOT from their parents, especially in the first five years. That’s when a child is learning and absorbing everything from the world around them. Every single stimuli – what they see, hear, touch, taste and smell — will be used to form neural connections in their brains.
So let’s parent mindfully, by being aware of what we’re feeding our children — physically and mentally.
Article was originally published on Medium.
