How often do you see children reading storybooks while travelling or waiting at the airport or station? How frequently do you come across a child gazing at the sky or at the beauty of Nature around them? In this era, it’s rare to find such children, because kids usually stare only at the smartphones in their hands.
The world of children, both before and after the pandemic, is smartphone-oriented – the gadget is involved in everything from studies to games. So much so that many celebrities and leaders around the world are speaking out against giving smartphones to children. Many studies are being taken up to show the adverse effects of smartphones on children’s psyche, which can impact them in adulthood.
A new study by the US-based non-profit organisation Sapien Labs has found that getting children used to smartphones at an early age can lead to several psychological issues in adulthood. The study highlights the alarming correlation between early access of young children to phones and tablets and rising mental issues in adults, including low self-esteem, depression, sadness and so on.
As per the study:
Approximately 60-70% of women exposed to smartphones before the age of 10 are experiencing mental health issues as adults. Around 45-50% of men exposed to smartphones before the age of 10 also face similar challenges later.
Highlighting the key points from the study, Madhu Jain requested parents to resist the temptation of handing over a smartphone to children to keep them busy, especially when they are crying or are in a car. “Instead, encourage real-world interactions, some outdoor activities, and/or engage them in hobbies. By doing so, we can create a healthier and more balanced environment that fosters authentic learning and social interactions,” Jain said in a Linkedin post and added, “Remember, their childhood is precious, and it’s our duty to provide them with the best possible foundation for a bright and healthy future.”
Adverse impacts:
Scientific studies have proven that radiation from cell phones and electronic gadgets interferes with a child’s brain development. The first six years of a child are very crucial for development of brain matter and size. Cerebral glucose metabolism is affected, which in turn affects neuronal (brain cells) activity when these gadgets are used over a period of time. Even the foetus is affected when expectant mothers are exposed to gadget radiation.
Elaborating on the harmful effects of smartphones and tabs on children and adolescents, Dr Charan Teja Koganti, neuropsychiatrist at KIMS and associate professor at VRK Medical College says, “Higher screen time causes irritability, temper tantrums, mood swings, depression, sleep disorder and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and aggravates autism. By comparing with others in the superficial onscreen world, the children develop poor self-esteem, negative body image, jealousy... Excessive exposure to violent and crime content causes lower threshold or insensitivity towards violence.”
“The long term physical ill-effects that manifest in adolescence and adulthood include dermatological problems including premature skin-aging from UV radiation, cardiac issues if the cell phone is kept in the chest pocket, and infertility in men if the cell phone is kept in the lower pockets as the radiation interferes with sperm production. ENT cancers and brain tumors can be triggered from prolonged screen time, obesity and its associated problems including Type 1 diabetes in children, dry eye syndrome, neck pain, arthritis, finger joint pain, impaired hand-eye coordination, which escalates risk of traffic accidents and enhanced chances of falling down,” adds Dr Charan Teja.
