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The impact of digital media on children and teenager’s life
Content of workshop • • • • • • • • •
Define Digital media. Statistics about the use of digital media. Advantages & Disadvantages of using digital media. Consequences over brain development. Consequences over health. Consequences over social-emotional development. Types of online activities chosen by children. Types of online activities chosen by teenagers. Recommendation for parents.
What is digital media? • Computer games on PCs, laptops or hand-held modules and interactive games on the internet, TV. • Social media such as Facebook, Twitter . • iPods apps, iPhones, Smartphones, Tablets apps.
Statistics from western cultures. • 40% of 2-to 4- year olds use Smartphones, iPods, iPads or similar device. (research conduct in America). • In 64% of homes the TV is on during meals and in 45% of homes the TV is on mostly all the time even if no one is watching it. • The average teen sends over 3000 messages per month. • Only 36% of parents limit the children’s computer time.
Advantages of using digital media •
Online communication may decrease social anxiety.
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Rapid and incisive spurts of intense, directed concentration on short periods of time.
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Improvements in performance on various cognitive tasks- like: problem solving, decision making, visual perception.
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Access to information like never before.
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Entertain themselves like never before.
Disadvantages of using digital media • Lack of mobility in children. • Spoils the appetite for deeper relationships. • It takes them away from the adults who are meant to raise them. • It is a matter of developmental readiness- there is a time that is appropriate.
Consequences of overuse of digital media – in brain development • Overstimulation of certain parts of the brain leads to an underdevelopment of other areas like: the area that regulates emotion leads to: • increased impulsivity and • decreased ability to self-regulate. • It reduces their ability to focus their attention. The way attention works is that it throws out 98% of what we take in so that it will make meaning of the remaining 2%. • “We ingest more than we can digest.”
Does the online world help them become multitasking?
the next dose of dopamine
• There is a negative correlation between screen time and language acquisition in young children. • Video and online games can also limit children’s creativity and imaginations.
• Late academic achievement • Studies suggest that excessive media use (computer or video games) at an earlier age are associated with lower academic achievement later in life.
Negative consequences on health • Obesity • Sleep depravation- 75% of children age 9 to 10 are sleep deprived to the extent where their academic progress is detrimentally impacted
• Mental illness- casual factor in rising rates of children depression, anxiety, attachment disorder, attention deficit, bipolar disorder, problematic behavior.
• Radiation emission- Children are more sensitive to a variety of agents
than adults as their brains and immune system are still developing- risk of cancer
• Hearing and vision • Posture
Effects of using technology before bed -How long sleep do we need? -How does sleep help our brain and body? -What happens when we don’t get enough sleep? -The impact of using the phone/tablet before bed - What can we do differently?
Consequences over social-emotional development. • •
Digital media may reduce their ability to build healthy relationships. “When we have unlimited access to this form of communication, we start forgetting real-life communication. Part of it is just that it’s human nature to avoid things. It’s easier.“
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Aggression (violent media content can cause child aggression) The over-use of video games that are based around fighting can desensitise a child towards violence.
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Low self-regulation-More tantrums. “If these devices become the predominant method to calm down or distract young children, will they be able to develop their own internal mechanisms of self-regulation?”
• Cyber-bullying found in social media often negatively impacts on a child’s / teenager’s peace of mind. • As we all know, it’s easier to write something than to say it face-to-face;
Types of online activities chosen by children. • • • •
Video Games : Fails to prime adaptation for loss and lack. Are a way to escape reality. Creates addiction in children.
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In the absence of parental attachment, detached children can attach to devices, which can result in addiction (Rowan 2010).
Addiction • •
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Brain scans show degradation in the areas that control attention, emotion, decision making and impulse control. Why are games and social media more prone to be addicted? Because they respond back to you based on what you did in a game/social media – it is a basic level of contingent communication; These responses give us back – dopamine, a neurotransmitter that helps control the brain's reward and pleasure centers.
Consequences of overuse of online devices (researches)
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Preoccupation with the Internet
Withdrawal symptoms
Internet Use Disorder (IUD) Unsuccessful attempts to quit
Irritable
Distracte d
“Digital fog”
Loss of other interests Fatigued
Consequences of overuse • On a short term: mental burnout
the brain secretes more cortisol and adrenaline
• Over the long run: alters neural circuitry for selfregulation
depression
increased energy levels in the short term
Types of online activities chosen by teenagers. SOCIAL MEDIA- Connected but alone?
The social brain – link between the inner and outer world
Social media- created by the human brain and shaping the human brain in order to adapt
Is social media replacing our relationships or adding to them? Face to face communication Eye contact Facial expression Posture Gestures Tone of voice Immediate reaction Present Vulnerable Empathy Active listening 30-40% about ME
Texting/email/social media Time to think about your reply Illusion of control Builds social anxiety Inhibits social skills such as spontaneity, empathy 80% about ME
Social media as a diversion • Diversion- coping mechanism with difficult situations and painful feelings • Adolescence the toughest period in terms of peer pressure • Being alone- a problem that needs solving If you don’t learn how to be alone, you will be lonely
Recommendation for parents. • Establish family rituals that will increase connection. • Example: in our home digital device are not taken when we have supper.
• We should not put “digital cookies” where are easily accessible. • Immunize your child by fulfilling their attachment hunger. • Try to understand what your child truly needs: connection with you not information.
Recommendations for parents • Limit the amount of time on devices. • Be clear about when use is permitted. Predictable routines protect the peace. • Encourage time in the natural world. "Play outside" or pull from within is an option. • Have conversations face to face, over the counter, in transit, at a meal with friends and family. About what? Day residue, dreams, current events, songs, that thing you think about... • Find engaging projects that require in-the-flesh, five-sense, nontech hand/brain activity, solo or accompanied.
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Instead of digital media use, plan supervised independent play.
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Co-view and enhance parent-child interaction during digital use. Experts say that educational media programs were developed to be watched by both the parent and the child to facilitate social interactions and learning process, but many parents have used digital media device as a digital nanny. Limit background media exposure.
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Technology Use Guidelines for Children and Youth
• Set media limits for children.
List of websites • • • • •
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NbSDO_F1KSI https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BoT7qH_uVNo https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=31o_chpzQh8 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oq8ULEfvF78 https://storify.com/agonizingl831/positive-and-negative-impact-of-electronic-devices http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2015/feb/01/toddler-brains-researchsmartphones-damage-social-development http://www.huffingtonpost.com/cris-rowan/10-reasons-why-handheld-devices-should-bebanned_b_4899218.html
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https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/the-creativity-cure/201505/how-technical-devicesinfluence-childrens-brains https://www.aap.org/en-us/documents/digital_media_symposium_proceedings.pdf http://www.sigur.info/news/siguranta-pe-internet.html http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/127/4/800 https://www.unce.unr.edu/publications/files/cy/2013/fs1322.pdf
Jean Jacques Rousseau “The primary role of the parent is to be a buffer to society.”