Too much exposure may affect development and health
As times change, the world around us revolves around more technology, particularly in computing, entertainment and communications devices. Everyday there are advancements made in processors, batteries and even screen resolution. These devices are used virtually all ages, but as modern parents begin to give their children electronics to soothe their needs, the health risks begin to rise for the younger generation.
Lwbba G. Chait, board-certified pediatrician working at the Pioneers Children’s Health Center in downtown Brawley said, “Infants, toddlers, and preschoolers are now growing up in environments saturated with a variety of new technologies, which they are adopting at increasing rates. Although there has been much hope for the educational potential of interactive media for young children, accompanied by fears about their overuse during this crucial period of rapid brain development, research in this area still remains limited.”
Children are being exposed to more technology on a daily basis. They are able to adapt much faster than older users. Chait explained that the first health concern is obesity. As technology may consume more of their time, children’s activity levels begin to decrease, resulting in an increase in weight. Although these can be small amounts of weight being added, they can have significant results in children.
“Evidence is sufficient to recommend time limitations on digital media use for children 2 to 5 years to no more than one hour per day and older children to no more than two hours per day,” Chait said. “This will allow children ample time to engage in other activities important to their health and development and to establish media viewing habits associated with lower risk of obesity later in life.
Studies have shown the excessive use of technology at night can affect one’s sleep schedule. These studies have shown that people with higher social media use or who sleep with their phone in the same room may not get enough sleep. “Increased duration of media exposure and the presence of a television, computer or mobile device in the bedroom has been associated with fewer minutes of sleep per night. Media use around or after bedtime can disrupt sleep and negatively affect school performance,” she said.
Most parents give their children electronic devices to calm or even keep them quiet. This poses dangers to those children. Chait recommends that parents avoid digital media use of children between 18 to 24 months of age.
“Studies show associations between excessive television viewing in early childhood and cognitive, language and social/ emotional delays, likely secondary to a decrease in parent–child interaction when the television is on and poorer family functioning in households with high media use,” Chait said.
She also discourages media use during homework and recommends keeping bedrooms, mealtimes and parent–child playtimes screen-free for both children and parents. Parents can set a “do not disturb” option on their phones during these times to limit their amount of screen time and participate in communicating with their children.