Pediatrician Chris Rowan encourages parents to spend more time with children, especially those under the age of 12 years. He encourages parents not to let all the free time to spend on the computer or phone, because this kind of leisure has a negative impact on their development.
The American Academy of Pediatrics and the canadian society of Pediatrics state that children ages 0-2 years should not be exposed to electronic devices. Children aged 3 to 5 years can use them no more than 1:00 in the afternoon, from 6 to 18 years – 2:00 the same day, transmit Mscam.
In fact, however, it was found that children and teenagers use gadgets on average 4-5 times more than recommended, but it entails some negative consequences, which in some cases can be life-threatening.
Portable devices (mobile phones, tablets, electronic games) have significantly increased availability and use of modern technologies, especially very young children. Therefore, a pediatrician and biologist, Chris Rowan insists that prohibit the use of mobile electronic devices by children under the age of 12 years.
Present to you the TOP 10 reasons for this decision, based on the data of numerous studies.
1. Impact on brain development
In young children from birth to two years, brain volume increased in three times and continues to develop until 21 years of age. On the formation of the brain affected by the surroundings. Excessive use of technology may lead to inadequate care and the gap in knowledge of the world, violations of training, as well as increased impulsivity and decreased ability to self-control that can manifest as outbursts of anger.
2. Underdevelopment
Technology distract the child from moving occupations, and this may result in a delay in development. Now every third child who comes to school, lagging behind in development, and this negatively affects their performance. The mobility of the child increases her attentiveness and learning abilities, and the use of technology to 12 years only hurt the child’s development.
3. Obesity
TV and video games associated with obesity. Children who are allowed to use the gadgets in their rooms, 30% more likely to suffer from obesity.
Each of the four canadian children and one in every three children in U.S. is overweight. 30% of obese children develop diabetes, they have increased risk of stroke, heart attack and early death. Due to obesity children of the XXI century can become the first generation, many of whom will not outlive their parents.
4. Lack of sleep
60% of parents do not monitor how and when their children use technological advances, and 75% of children use them in their rooms with the permission of adults. 75% of children aged 9-10 years sleep less than you should at their age.
5. Psychological disorders
Technology can cause mental disorders in children. Here we are talking about depression, anxiety, impaired attention, autism, bipolar disorder, psychosis and problematic behavior. Each of the six canadian children diagnosed with a mental disorder, and many of them are already at such a young age take dangerous psychotropic drugs.
6. Aggressiveness
Violent media content can cause uncontrolled aggression. For example, in the popular video game “Grand Theft Auto V” a lot of scenes of a sexual nature, murder, torture, etc., which is also common to see on television in movies and television shows.
7. Digital dementia
The content of the electronic media leads to attention deficit and reduced concentration and memory. Children who have problems with concentration, not able to learn.
8. Dependence on gadgets
The more parents are addicted to technology, the less time is allocated to the communication with children. Therefore, children are very often not getting a sufficient amount of parental attention, become attached to the devices. As of 2009, every 11 children aged 8 to 18 years felt dependence on technology.
9. Radiation
In may 2011 the world health organization classified cell phones (and other wireless devices) as possible sources of carcinogens (“risk category 2B”) through radiation. James Macnamee from the canadian Ministry of health in October 2011 warned that “Children are more sensitive to electromagnetic waves than adults as their brains and immune system continue to develop.”
In December 2013 Dr. Anthony Miller from the School of public health at the University of Toronto based on new research, contact with radio frequencies should be classified as a 2A (probable carcinogen), not a 2B (possible carcinogen).
The American Academy of Pediatrics adheres to the same position: the risk of radiation exists.
10. Unreasonableness
Further education and training of children using technology is inappropriate.
Children are our future, but they have no future if they abuse equipment. It is necessary to develop a comprehensive approach to reduce the level of use of technology by children.
