5 Negative Effects of Excessive Gadget Use for Children

Let’s face it: it’s really hard to keep kids away from mobile devices these days. As parents, the best thing we can do is to keep our children’s screen time under control.

Experts have warned us over and over about the dangers of excessive gadget use because they can result to several undesirable consequences. Researchers have proven this again and again so if you’re looking for reasons to limit gadget use for your kids, feel free to read and take these things as your warning.

1. Screen Dependency Disorder

According to a research conducted by psychologist Dr. Aric Sigman, kids as young as 3 or 4 can develop Screen Dependency Disorder (SDD) if they’re often using devices for long periods of time.

In a SmartParenting report, family life and child development specialist Claudette Avelino-Tandoc explained that children with SDD usually begin their day holding their devices an continue using it even during meal time.

The parenting site likewise tells us:

“SDD causes behavioral, emotional, and physical problems. From headaches and insomnia to anxiety, loneliness, dependency on screens, and loss of outside interests. One of the long-term effects of SDD can be brain damage.”

2. Delayed Speech Development

Notice how you have very little time to interact with your child whenever he or she is busy playing games or watching videos?

Well one study involving 900 children further tells us that “more time spent on a handheld device or gadget led to a higher likelihood of speech delay in children 6 months to 2 years old.”

The research likewise specified that 20% of youngsters used mobile devices at least 28 minutes daily while those who had screen time for 30 minutes more usually had 49% higher risk of speech delay.

3. Weaker Parent-Children Relationships.

Does it sometimes feel like smartphones and tablets are replacing your role in your children’s lives? You are not alone and there is actually a study that backs this up.

According to a Kaspersky Lab research involving more than 3,700 families, 31% of parents with children ages 8 to 16 years old say gadgets are becoming barriers in their relationships.

For example, 1 out of 4 parents admit their children prefer surfing the internet when they have questions or need advice, instead of talking to their fathers and mothers.

4. Poor Sleep

Meanwhile, a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) Pediatrics tells us that a “strong and consistent association” between gadget usage bedtime and poor sleep.

5. Poor Learning

While there are obvious advantages to having a tech-savvy tech, it’s also important for kids to develop basic skills with their hands.

A study by Dr. Karin James, Indiana University professor of psychological and brain sciences, tells us that writing with pencil actually exercises the brain more compared to typing on a screen.

Typing, the doctor explained, does not “contribute to the child’s knowledge of letters” so its a better idea to give your youngsters pens, pencils,and paper if you want them to learn writing. That’s always way better than just downloading a writing app or something similar.