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Margaret Ruguru
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The study, compiled by child development experts, warns that prolonged screen exposure is fueling anxiety, depression, hyperactivity, and aggression among children.
Growing concern is emerging over the rising levels of screen addiction among children, with new research linking excessive use of smartphones, tablets, and televisions to behavioral, emotional, and social challenges.
The study, compiled by child development experts, warns that prolonged screen exposure is fueling anxiety, depression, hyperactivity, and aggression among children.
It also highlights that excessive screen time is undermining discipline and hindering the development of essential social skills.
βBlue light suppresses the sleep hormone, causing irregular sleep, moodiness, and ADHD among young children,β said Soony Wendy, a counseling psychologist at the Kenya Red Cross.
She noted that overexposure to screens alters brain development, reducing memory retention, attention span, and impulse control.
According to psychologists, children who spend more time on screens are less likely to express their emotions openly, with parts of the brain responsible for decision-making and emotional processing β such as the prefrontal cortex and amygdala β negatively affected.
Wendy explained that overstimulation increases dopamine release, making children view real-life interactions as less engaging compared to digital content.
The findings come at a time when the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) is increasingly incorporating digital learning tools, raising questions about how parents and educators can balance technology use with healthy child development.
Experts are urging parents to set strict boundaries around screen use, encouraging outdoor play and face-to-face interactions instead. Parental controls on apps and television, as well as clear household rules, are recommended to minimize mental health risks.
The World Health Organization (WHO) advises zero screen time for children under the age of two, except for supervised video calls.
Children aged two to five should be limited to one hour daily, while those aged six and older should avoid screens during mealtimes and before bedtime.
Psychologists caution that video streaming poases a particular risk by extending screen time late into the night, reducing vital hours of sleep needed for growth and brain development.
βTechnology can be both the cause and the symptom of behavioral, emotional, and mental health problems,β Wendy emphasized. βThe solution is to encourage children to explore the world beyond screens, nurturing real-life experiences and social interactions.β
Β©Citizen Digital, Kenya
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- The study, compiled by child development experts, warns that prolonged screen exposure is fueling anxiety, depression, hyperactivity, and aggression among children.
- It also highlights that excessive screen time is undermining discipline and hindering the development of essential social skills.
The study, compiled by child development experts, warns that prolonged screen exposure is fueling anxiety, depression, hyperactivity, and aggression among children.
Growing concern is emerging over the rising levels of screen addiction among children, with new research linking excessive use of smartphones, tablets, and televisions to behavioral, emotional, and social challenges.
The study, compiled by child development experts, warns that prolonged screen exposure is fueling anxiety, depression, hyperactivity, and aggression among children.
It also highlights that excessive screen time is undermining discipline and hindering the development of essential social skills.
βBlue light suppresses the sleep hormone, causing irregular sleep, moodiness, and ADHD among young children,β said Soony Wendy, a counseling psychologist at the Kenya Red Cross.
She noted that overexposure to screens alters brain development, reducing memory retention, attention span, and impulse control.
According to psychologists, children who spend more time on screens are less likely to express their emotions openly, with parts of the brain responsible for decision-making and emotional processing β such as the prefrontal cortex and amygdala β negatively affected.
Wendy explained that overstimulation increases dopamine release, making children view real-life interactions as less engaging compared to digital content.
The findings come at a time when the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) is increasingly incorporating digital learning tools, raising questions about how parents and educators can balance technology use with healthy child development.
Experts are urging parents to set strict boundaries around screen use, encouraging outdoor play and face-to-face interactions instead. Parental controls on apps and television, as well as clear household rules, are recommended to minimize mental health risks.
The World Health Organization (WHO) advises zero screen time for children under the age of two, except for supervised video calls.
Children aged two to five should be limited to one hour daily, while those aged six and older should avoid screens during mealtimes and before bedtime.
Psychologists caution that video streaming poases a particular risk by extending screen time late into the night, reducing vital hours of sleep needed for growth and brain development.
βTechnology can be both the cause and the symptom of behavioral, emotional, and mental health problems,β Wendy emphasized. βThe solution is to encourage children to explore the world beyond screens, nurturing real-life experiences and social interactions.β
Β©Citizen Digital, Kenya
Continue reading...
