There’s a rising concern about how screens might be changing our kids, particularly in their formative years. A recent paper suggests that excessive screen time could have lasting effects on children’s brains, fundamentally altering their development.
According to research published in the journal Brain Health, experiences during childhood can significantly shape skills and challenges encountered later in life. The study contends that sensory experiences, movement, social interaction, culture, and environment can all play a role in children’s development — and for some, these influences can be irreversible.
The authors introduce a term called the “criticome,” which highlights a key developmental phase from birth to age 25. Dr. Julio Licinio, a coauthor and professor at the State University of New York, emphasizes that what happens during this period is crucial; it will shape one’s identity for the rest of their life.
This naturally raises the question: how does screen time impact young people’s development? Licinio acknowledges the inability of the paper to answer this query definitively, noting that will take years of further research to unravel. Yet, he suggests parents shouldn’t wait for that long to adjust their approach.
One major issue is that screens provide intense stimulation – they’re close to the face and filled with fast-paced visuals. Psychologist Melissa Greenberg notes that this can leave children feeling uninterested in more mundane activities, like playing with friends or even outdoor activities. These, however, are vital for developing social, motor, and sensory skills.
Reducing Screen Time, Increasing Interaction
Licinio encourages parents to reduce their kids’ screen time and increase the amount of time spent with real people – whether it’s family or peers. Besides the psychological impacts, he points out that excessive screen exposure contributes to physical health issues, like obesity, since children tend to eat while watching and engage less in physical activities.
When discussing screen time with students, I often prompt them to consider what other enjoyable activities they could substitute with their screen time. Could swapping screens for face-to-face interactions improve their well-being?
Research indicates that not utilizing specific parts of the brain during childhood could hinder language and speech development later. For instance, learning a new language as an adult will likely never match the fluency achieved in childhood. The same applies to various skills, such as music, best learned early on — consider the case of Mozart, whose exposure to music as a child laid the foundation for his prodigious talent.
Because of this, it’s essential to introduce children to music, arts, and languages during their formative years rather than allowing them to spend excessive time on digital devices.
Despite some parents feeling that it’s “too late” to change their children’s screen habits, that mindset should be reevaluated. There’s ample evidence urging a reduction in screen time, with recent warnings from the US Surgeon General about associated health and social issues stemming from excessive use.
It’s understandable that parents worry about children reacting negatively when screens are taken away. However, this dependency signals a need for change. Greenberg stresses that such reactions are not defiance; they’re a result of addressing an addictive behavior.
Instead of feeling guilty, it’s worth acknowledging that everyone is adapting to the rapid technological advancements and their ramifications. Parents should communicate to kids that adapting our beliefs and actions is necessary when faced with new evidence — otherwise, we risk making uninformed decisions.
Seeking a time to initiate change can also be beneficial. If a transition away from screens is inevitable, having a plan could ease the process. Perhaps timing this shift around a summer outing could work, allowing for new activities and the development of skills that may have lagged due to excessive screen use.
Building skills can be coupled with family activities; involving others or seeking professional help can make the process smoother. It’s essential to recognize children are observing our own screen habits. Teaching them the value of offline experiences may instill better lifelong skills than what they might gain from simply scrolling on a device.
