Kids in a digital world
I would venture to say that today, every parent is aware of the impact that various screen devices, such as phones and tablets, can have on a child’s development. And most would probably agree that this impact is both positive and negative. Is that knowledge enough? And more importantly, does this knowledge translate into specific actions concerned with preventing overuse or addiction to electronics from the youngest age? This article will explore the negative aspects of using mobile devices by children and their parents.
Does digitalization concern children?
In the first years of life, the brain develops particularly intensively, and a child needs to experience reality using their senses to the fullest. They learn about the world by seeing, touching, feeling, hearing, and tasting it. Mobile devices, no matter how advanced, cannot replace that —a child won’t learn about the texture of objects, their temperature, or determine whether something is wet or dry. They won’t let a child smell grass, dog fur, or discover new tastes. Such knowledge may seem obvious, yet parents frequently hand over phones or tablets to their children for their own convenience, so they can attend to other matters.
By leaving a child in front of a screen, we significantly limit their range of experience, which can negatively impact the development of the brain’s neural structures. On one hand, the stimuli provided by mobile devices are so intense and excessive they can cause difficulties in focus and concentration, while on the other hand, the quality of the stimuli is insufficient to provide the brain with the necessary stimulation for full, balanced development. Nothing can replace play, walks, adventures, reading and looking at books, and all the other “traditional” experiences in the surrounding world. In summary, excessive screen use leads to addiction in increasingly younger children, causes sleep disorders, negatively affects eyesight, development of hand muscles, and overall development of the brain.
Relationships and child development
Children need intensive relationships with other people. Neither TV nor computers can replace interactions with their caretakers or other children, shared experiences which help them learn about the surrounding world. Scientists clearly indicate that excessive use of mobile devices can lead to insufficient emotional development in a child.
In the 1970s, American psychologist Edward Tronick conducted a very moving experiment called “The Still Face Experiment.” It aimed to show how a parent’s withdrawal from interaction affects their children. In this two-minute experiment, a mother sits opposite her one-year-old child, smiles at them, speaks affectionately, but then her face freezes—she doesn’t move, smile, or speak. The child tries to re-engage with the mother, laughs, and reaches out their hands, but when this doesn’t change the mother’s expression, the child becomes increasingly upset until they start crying. Nowadays parents do the same thing by being glued to their smartphones – they don’t’ satisfy the child’s need for interaction, they are passive in relation to their child. Troick’s experiment was repeated in 2020 with a slight twist – instead of having a “still face” the parents were using their smartphone. It turns out the reaction was the same…
What’s an absent parent to their child
Children develop through relationships and need present and attentive parents to shape their attitudes and simply grow into healthy adults. A parent absorbed in a screen sends a signal to the child—you are not important to me. This is a direct path to low self-esteem, to thinking of oneself as inadequate, and to problems in future relationships. If what’s happening on the screen is more important to the parent, the child may begin to feel that their own needs for closeness are being invalidated—since mom or dad isn’t responding to the child’s signals, they may withdraw from the relationship and assume an attitude of I must handle things on my own.
Digital detox or a perfect balance?
The digital world is a sign of our times, and for our children, it is a natural environment. It’s hard to imagine completely giving up new technologies. However, reflecting on our behavior is the first step — how do I introduce my child to this world, and how do I, as a parent, function in this world day to day? I encourage You to implement house rules regarding electronics usage, appropriate to the age of children and family situation. Consider including these recommendations:
- No screen device usage for children under the age of 2
- Emphasize balance between online and offline time – consider putting your phone away during the day to give your full attention to Your children’s needs
- Teach children about the world, support their creativity, stimulate their brains. Encourage independent thought and action. Ensure they get enough physical activity as well as rest
