How tablets and phones make our kids angry, moody and lazy

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

Have you ever wondered how gadgets affect your child's health? In a new article, we will talk about what happens to children if they spend too much time with a smartphone or tablet in their hands.

A child's brain is more sensitive to the use of electronic devices (tablets, phones, computers) than many parents might imagine. Believe me, your child does not need to spend so much time with a tablet in hand for this to have a negative impact on his developing brain.

Of course, many parents believe that social media, email and even games do not have the same detrimental effect on their child as watching movies with scenes of violence, sex and horror. In fact, interactive communication with a computer is more likely to cause sleep problems, mood swings, and even higher brain function disorders than watching television.

Here are five of the most common consequences of children's overuse of gadgets.

1. Sleep disturbance

The bright light from the monitor screen at night creates the false feeling that day is outside. This blocks the production of the hormone melatonin, which is responsible for regulating human circadian rhythms.

Just a few minutes with the phone in hand at night can cause a delay in melatonin production for several long hours, increasing the risk of hormonal imbalances and inflammatory processes in the brain.

In addition, the high level of arousal prevents the transition to the deep sleep phase, during which the body recovers.

2. Addiction

Many children are heavily dependent on the use of their electronic devices, because the entertainment available with these devices stimulates the release of dopamine, the hormone of pleasure. By and large, there is no difference for the brain, which led to the release of dopamine: electronic gadgets or cocaine - it requires more.

But if the reward system of the brain is exploited too often to have fun, then its sensitivity gradually decreases and the next time even more stimulation is required to achieve the set goal. This is how addiction arises.

In addition, dopamine affects a person's ability to focus on a task and motivation. Thus, even small changes in dopamine sensitivity negatively affect a child's emotional sensitivity.

3. Depression

Studies have shown that bright light from a monitor at night can cause depression and even suicide.

Animal studies show that light from a monitor before or during sleep can cause depression, even if the animal is not looking at the screen.

It is worth noting that some parents are very reluctant to protect their children from using these devices, as they do not want to upset their child once again. In fact, by moving phones and tablets away from the bed, you protect your child from many problems.

4. Stress

Numerous studies show that the frequent use of electronic devices contributes to stress. Stress causes a change in hormone levels, which leads to increased irritability. For example, the concentration of cortisol increases dramatically, which can cause stress as well as its effect, thereby creating a vicious circle.

In addition, increased excitability and dependence (from gadgets, alcohol, and so on) suppress the activity of the frontal lobes of the brain - the area responsible for a person's mood.

5. Decreased physical activity

It has long been known that walking in the fresh air, communicating with nature, and being active outside one's own home prevent stress, improve concentration and attention, and reduce the level of aggression. It turns out that the more time a child spends with electronic devices in his hands, the less positive effect natural mood regulators have on him.

Conclusion

In the world of computers and the Internet, shielding children from electronic devices can seem crazy. In fact, when a child has problems, then, leaving all these gadgets in their places, believing that with their help he will be distracted and relaxed, we only make him worse.

On the contrary, by removing the child (at least temporarily) from all this, we allow his nervous system to recover and return to normal. With this we take the first step towards helping the child to become restrained and calm, and therefore happier.