DIGITAL DEMENTIA

Children under 2 should be kept away from tablets as experts treat more youngsters with behavioural problems

Doctors warn that young children will not benefit from too much tablet screen time,

DUBAI // Children under the age of two should be banned from watching content on tablet computers to give them the best chance of avoiding “digital dementia” as they grow up, doctors warn.

Paediatricians said increasing numbers of parents are asking for help with their poorly behaved children, many of whom suffer from attention problems in school and some as young as six suffer sleep disorders.

These symptoms are suspected to be related to an over-reliance on smartphones and tablets used to entertain young children, rather than traditional methods of communication and development, such as reading and active play.

“I used to see children regularly for usual paediatric ailments. Now I’m seeing more for problems related to the use of smartphones and tablets,” said Dr Mohammed Zaheeruddin, a paediatrician at Medeor 24x7 Hospital, Dubai.

“Some children I’ve treated aged three to six have become addicted to the devices. Their parents can’t get them to concentrate on their studies, and have had complaints from teachers.

“Some children can’t sleep as they are spending up to four hours a day on their devices.”

Recent studies have proved that high-speed media content can reduce concentration and memory as a young child’s brain is prime for development in the first two years.

“This new trend is having an effect on their lifestyle, and is related to obesity as children become inactive,” Dr Zaheeruddin said.

“I know children get homework on tablets now but still their use must be limited and the content controlled.

“Children are not spending quality time with their families, or going out with friends. It is a big issue.”

High frequency gamma brainwaves are associated with perception and higher brain activity, and they are found to be present when a child is telling a story, engaged in conversation, drawing or playing.

Research has shown this brain activity flatlines when children are watching television, with a similar result when it comes to long periods of screen time on other devices, according to Dr Hussein Nasser Matlik, a paediatric neurologist at Burjeel Hospital, Abu Dhabi.

“The brain is rapidly developing in the first two years of life, so social interaction is hugely important to help develop speech and a human connection,” said Dr Matlik, who treats about four children a week for related delayed speech and about 10 for persistent headaches.

“Children under two should be banned from using these devices, as overexposure is very harmful.

“I have seen more cases of chil- dren with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in recent years. It is not a coincidence these devices are more common.

“These children can improve, but we need to focus on prevention as the guidelines are clear. Parents do not always know how serious this problem is.”

In May 2011, the World Health Organisation classified mobile phones and other wireless devices as a category 2B risk, a possible carcinogen because of radiation emissions.

The American Academy of Pediatrics and the Canadian Society of Paediatrics stated that infants aged up to 2 years should not have any exposure to technology. Three to 5 years should be restricted to one hour a day, and 6 to 18 years should be restricted to 2 hours a day.

Archana Rao, whose 5-year-old son Anay attends Regent International School in The Greens, Dubai, has rules for screen time. “My son is home from school about 2pm, and I limit him to 30 minutes a day,” she said. “It is monitored . We know there are risks of him becoming anti-social or not joining in with other activities if he spends to much time on the iPad.

“We use a timer, and he knows when he must stop and when it is story time. I’ve seen other kids who are addicted, they don’t have many friends.” Indian Amresh Mondkar, who works in advertising, has two daughters and also restricts screen time. “My daughter is 4 and has no more than 15 minutes a day watching TV. We know it is not good for her development.”