Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
How to stop technology rotting your child’s brain
risk of sleep disturbance that leads to obesity, while there was a 40% decrease in obesity in those whose parents limited their screen time. inhibit creative thinking – but there can be some advantages to a child’s development, depending on how the devices are used. “Some research suggests that mobile devices could encourage and support imaginative play, rather than just keeping children occupied,” she says. “But a time limit of mobile or tablet usage must be monitored by parents.” Dr Hogan suggests analysing what your child is like in the presence of other youngsters, to see whether they actively engage in physical, real-life scenarios, or stay buried in their gadgets. He says: “If they turn to their phones when they are in a stimulated environment it Dr Hogan says “it would be a mistake to assume there is a limit of time use” because every child is different. He adds: “It’s about getting that balance. Be aware of what your kids are engaging with and set limits.
“There is an obvious trade-off: the more time you spend on social media or playing video games, the less time you have are engaging in real-world physical, social or intellectual activities.”
He adds that context is also very important. For example, watching TV with friends or family can be interactive and fun, and help reinforce relationships.
Dr Marchant-haycox explains: “Research suggests that children spending two or more hours on mobile phones can impact on brain functioning.
“But much more research needs to be done, especially as we see a continuous increase in social media obsession and more and more children are becoming prisoners in their own homes.”