The Effects of Children Using Mobile Devices
Mobile media devices differ from tv by its multiple modalities (videos, games, apps) and interactive capabilities. Children under 30 months usually cannot learn from tv as they do from real interactions. It has been thought that some social media apps are as effective as real-life encounters for language development within the first 2 years of life. Interactive media apps may help with early literacy by allowing practice with letters and word recognition. However, many apps actually distract children from learning based on design and effects.
It is now common practice to use mobile media for child entertainment and distraction. But instead of using these devices for occasional incidents (i.e. doctor’s office), they are being used to occupy children during daily routines. The regular consistent use of media devices to control a child’s behavior could be detrimental to them developing self-control. This may help explain why ADHD and anxiety are on the rise. Studies have shown that excessive media use can lead to attention problems, school difficulties, sleep and eating disorders, and obesity. In addition, the Internet and cell phones can provide platforms for illicit and risky behaviors.
A Massachusetts Childhood Obesity Research Demonstration Study examined about 2000 children (4th-7th grade) in associations of mobile media and tv sleep environments with weekday sleep duration. What they found was that children with mobile media devices slept 20 minutes fewer, and those with tv slept 18 minutes fewer. But only the mobile media devices showed higher perceived reporting of insufficient sleep. So unrestricted screen access can lead to childhood problems.
It is now common practice to use mobile media for child entertainment and distraction. But instead of using these devices for occasional incidents (i.e. doctor’s office), they are being used to occupy children during daily routines. The regular consistent use of media devices to control a child’s behavior could be detrimental to them developing self-control. This may help explain why ADHD and anxiety are on the rise. Studies have shown that excessive media use can lead to attention problems, school difficulties, sleep and eating disorders, and obesity. In addition, the Internet and cell phones can provide platforms for illicit and risky behaviors.
A Massachusetts Childhood Obesity Research Demonstration Study examined about 2000 children (4th-7th grade) in associations of mobile media and tv sleep environments with weekday sleep duration. What they found was that children with mobile media devices slept 20 minutes fewer, and those with tv slept 18 minutes fewer. But only the mobile media devices showed higher perceived reporting of insufficient sleep. So unrestricted screen access can lead to childhood problems.
Media devices can assist with concrete knowledge but falls short of teaching social skills, empathy, problem solving skills, and visual-motor skills. These skills are learned through natural environment exploration and direct interactions with others. Videophone apps may allow children to interact with family members far away, but when used in place of direct interactions, the parent-child relationship could suffer. The use of media devices are most beneficial when used together with the caregiver, which supports learning and direct interactions.
This issue is still in its infancy and much more research is needed. Things to consider are ages of media learning vs real world, and what are the best types of apps/media. Parents should explore the game themselves first (to determine appropriateness), then play it with the child, and later discuss with the child what they have learned. Currently it recommended that children and teens should engage with entertainment media for no more than one or two hours per day, and that should be high-quality content. It is important for kids to spend time on outdoor play, reading, hobbies, and using their imaginations in free play.
This issue is still in its infancy and much more research is needed. Things to consider are ages of media learning vs real world, and what are the best types of apps/media. Parents should explore the game themselves first (to determine appropriateness), then play it with the child, and later discuss with the child what they have learned. Currently it recommended that children and teens should engage with entertainment media for no more than one or two hours per day, and that should be high-quality content. It is important for kids to spend time on outdoor play, reading, hobbies, and using their imaginations in free play.
