Digital media can harm children, and new research warns of its serious impact on their health.
An analysis of 121 global studies on children and digital media, published in a series of papers in the medical journal The Lancet, indicates that about 20% of cases of depression and 15% of cases of obesity in young people are linked to spending too much time in front of screens.
The study advances our understanding of how children's digital media use has become a public health crisis that health authorities must manage and regulate, says lead author Louise Holley.
Holly, who serves as policy and research coordinator for the Digital Transformations for Health Lab, a global alliance based in Geneva, Switzerland, says the responsibility for solving these problems should not fall solely on parents.
Not all children face the same risks, as the study indicates that the young people most at risk are those who suffer from poor mental health, lack support in real life, or have a lower level of digital literacy.
Holly explained that the research was based on studies that were often based on children's self-reports about their screen use. Although many of them found a link between the use of digital media and health harms, they could not confirm that these media are the direct cause of these harms.
However, digital media may benefit children's health in some ways, as research has found that it provides them with opportunities to achieve independence, explore their identities, seek information, entertain themselves, and build social relationships.
Since plenty of warnings don't seem to be enough to keep children away from digital media, we can focus on how to make their use healthy for them, while helping them avoid the risks associated with it.
The nature of the adolescent brain
Dr. Nicole Amoyal Pinsak, a clinical psychologist and founder of Atlantic Coast Mind and Body in New Jersey, recommends starting by explaining what's going on inside young people's brains.
Pensack, who was not involved in the study, adds that “they are going through a special stage that combines vulnerability and opportunity, since their brains are developing rapidly. They have more control and control than they think.”
This is because young brains are highly plastic. So the parts of the brain that children use become stronger, while the parts they don't use atrophy.
“Try to explain it using leadership as an example,” Pensack says. “Adults want children to take control. So teach them how to create new ways and get rid of old ways that no longer serve them.”
But how do you do that?
Serve dried plums
In her clinic, Pensac gives children dried plums to taste. Since most of them do not like it, they try to avoid it in the future.
This is how we "hardware" things in our brains, too, she says.
She explains: “When you don't like something, or when something makes you uncomfortable, you try to get rid of it,” or at least reduce it.
To determine what to cut out, Pensack recommends teaching children to pay attention to their thoughts, actions, and feelings while using digital media.
If a girl is comparing her body to others' bodies on social media, it's time to reset course.
“They shouldn't focus on that, they shouldn't go down those paths,” Pensack explains.
If they do, the brain will learn to think that way, which will affect their mood and behavior.
Explore useful paths
Parents should also help children explore paths that are beneficial and healthy for them.
Digital media should not replace face-to-face interactions, but can complement them by helping children plan social gatherings or connect with people who share their interests (provided this is done safely).
These media can also help young people learn new things, so it is okay to watch videos that teach them skills such as knitting or encourage them to be creative and do manual activities.
“It's really hard to feel depressed, anxious, or indulge in negative thoughts when you're busy doing manual tasks,” Pensack says.
She adds that digital media may be particularly useful when children are interested in activities that are not available at school or do not do them in a formal and organized setting.
Friends might come together to create a dance and record it on video, for example.
Challenging activities, such as moving to a new level in a video game, are also very beneficial for children's brains.
“When you boost your sense of self-efficacy and self-confidence by doing this, you move on to another challenge, and that grows your brain in a very healthy and wonderful way,” Pensack says.
This latest research confirms what parents already know: digital media can be harmful to our children.
The abundance of data is unlikely to keep the majority of children away from their devices. Therefore, the way they use it must be guided.
