Madeeha Damoun

Screen Time: The New Addiction – Protecting Our Children’s Mental Health

In the current information technology age, electronic products can be seen everywhere. From smartphones to tablets, from laptops to gaming consoles, children are constantly exposed to digital devices..
While technology brings many advantages, it is important to pay attention to the potential dangers of over-reliance on screen time. Furthermore, Research has revealed alarming parallels’ between screen addiction and substance addiction, underscoring the need for mindful usage.

This blog post brings you the research, lists the hazards and concludes with some valuable tips for practising thoughtful screen use.

Lets first try to understand the science behind screen addiction

1. The Impact of Over-stimulation on the Frontal Cortex in the Brain

Studies of excessive screen time have demonstrated that the brain’s frontal cortex, which controls impulse control and decision-making, can be affected. Screens can cause this section in the brain to become sluggish due to being flooded with so many commands, just like drugs of abuse gradually slow down and finally stop stimulating it. Dr Peter Whybrow, the director of neuroscience at UCLA, called screens “electronic cocaine” for their powerful effect on the brain.

2. The Dopamine Connection

Technology is super-stimulating, causing the brain to release waves of dopamine. Dopamine, a neurotransmitter that responds to the pleasure response and causes one to crave more of it forever once they have experienced it, is crucial in addiction dynamics. Climbing levels of dopamine produced by screens are analogous to those experienced during sex. This makes it highly addictive. Little wonder children find it hard to quit screens and may become restless when their screen time is cut.

3. Psychological Effects

Excessive screen time is linked with a whole range of psychological issues. Screen use and sustained watching over a period of time have been associated in numerous reports from hospitals and clinics with significantly higher rates of depression, anxiety and aggression in children. Some children may develop psychotic-like characteristics, losing touch with reality, especially when they are in full flow of using immersion games.

Practical Tips for Managing Screen Time

1. Establish Clear Limits

Set rules for screen time. The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests children under one should not watch screens, except for video chats. Between 2 and 5 years old, limit your children’s exposure to TV and the web to an hour each day even if it’s high-quality content For older kids, make sure screen time does not get in the way of sleep or physical activity. This is important for health.

2. Encourage Other Activities

Get involved in activities that do not involve screens. Encourage the children to play outdoors, use books, and engage in hobbies that will stimulate creativity and social contact. Such a balance between screen time and non-screen time can underpin holistic growth,

3. Set up screen-free zones

Certain areas of the house should be screen-free, such as the dining room and bedrooms. This can prevent overuse and ensure that family time and sleep are not disrupted by screens.

4. Lead by example

Kids tend to mimic their parents’ behavior. Set a good example, and limit your own screen time even getting it all in before they do when possible.

5. Educate About Safe Internet/TV Use

Guide kids about the potential risks of excessive Internet time or TV viewing which are intended to be family-owned material, as well as how to use technology responsibly, including how to set privacy settings and stay safe on the web. This also involves understanding cyberbullying and knowing when to take the screen off often enough to consider what someone on the other side might have said or thought.

6. Have a Digital Detox from Time to Time

From time to time, have a complete break from screens. This digital detox can help reset your child’s relationship with technology and reduce their dependency on it.

All in all, technology is an essential part of modern life but we must ensure that it is used carefully and thoughtfully when approaching this increasingly important area in which our greatest “assets” by far are children. By recognizing the problems associated with excessive screen time and finding practical ways to limit it, we can help our children avoid the hazards that are becoming increasingly common. Remember, not to scrap the screens altogether but establish a reasonable balance so children can gain from modern technology without falling into dependence on it.

References and Further Reading

1. The American Academy of Pediatrics: Media and Children

2. UCLA Seminar with Dr Peter Whybrow on Electronic Cocaine

3. National Institute on Drug Abuse: The Science of Addiction

4. Harvard Health Publications, The impact of screen time on health

5. Raising Children Network: Managing Screen Time

We hope that this blog post will educate and empower parents to foster healthier screen habits for their children by consulting authoritative sources and highlighting useful tips.