Screentime effects on kids. Adding to the growing body of evidence that excessive smartphone. And other device use can be harmful to a child’s health. Two new studies show that children’s behavioral and psychological risks are linked to screen time.
On kids
Screen time was linked to higher diagnoses of obsessive-compulsive disorder among preteens. In contrast, the findings suggested that children’s ability to learn to soothe themselves. This may be hindered by using electronic devices. Use of devices to calm them when they are upset. That results in more frequent and more intense emotional outbursts.
But the studies, which were both published on Monday in separate journals. It was followed their young participants. As a result, to examine the effects of screen time over a period of months or years.
First,the OCD study, which was published in the Journal of Adolescent Health. It was followed more than 9,200 children from the ages of 9 to 10 for two years. When the children’s device usage was recorded. It shows 4.4% of them met the criteria for a new OCD diagnosis. This was proven according to the researchers.
According to the findings, the odds of developing the disorder increased. The course of the study period by 15%. And, for each hour that a child played video games. And by 11% for each hour that they watched videos.
Internet effects
According to the authors, the lack of a link between texting, video chatting, and social media use and an increased risk of developing OCD. It may be due to the fact that this cohort did not yet use these technologies frequently.
Dr. Jason Nagata is the assistant professor of pediatrics at the University of California, San Francisco. He said, “Kids who are spending a lot of time playing video games, to some extent, even developing a video game addiction. I think that those kids report that they feel the need to play video games. That too more and more. And they’re unable to stop even if they try.” Those kids may begin to obsess over video game content.
However, he stated that participants with OCD had symptoms. These symptoms went beyond their use of screens. And it’s possible that children with OCD are simply more likely to use screens.
The disorder of obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) affects about half a million children and adolescents in the United States. In this condition, people repeatedly experience intrusive thoughts. These causes them to engage in repetitive behaviors.
Use of devices for kids can backfire
Besides, the other study, which looked at children between the ages of 3 and 5. It was published in JAMA Pediatrics. According to lead author Dr. Jenny Radesky, this study focused on parents giving their children devices. During “emotional moments — times when the kids were crying, whining, and needing some help calming down.” This is in contrast to previous research that examined the effects of screen use.
In addition to Radesky, a developmental-behavioral pediatrician at the C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital at the University of Michigan Health System. “Device-calming” was associated with an increase in certain children’s emotional outbursts. Furthermore the young boys and children who already exhibit hyperactivity, impulsivity, and strong anger responses.
Steps parents can take
The American Psychological Association’s chief science officer Mitch Prinstein, who was not involved in either study. In addition to this, he said the two studies are not cause for panic. But their findings emphasized the significance of balancing a child’s use. The use of smartphones and tablets.
Moreover he said, “People need to remember that the more time that kids spend on screens. The less time they get of a lot of things that we know are incredibly important for child development. It includes interaction with adults, sleep, opportunities to read, and conversations. These are more interactive with nonverbal cues.” This is because children spend more time on screens than they do on other media.
That was repeated by Nagata.
Lastly he said, “Just because their child is playing video games. It doesn’t mean they will definitely develop OCD too.” Nevertheless some kids play video games for ten or more hours each day. That can really add up.
