Worryingly, studies of brain scans suggest that 'Too Much
Screen Time Damages the Brain'. So-called 'screen addicted' brains show several
changes in the regions involving emotions, attention and decision making.
I don't really think my boys qualify for 'addicted',
but might the screen time they have - not just the tv, but games on my laptop
and phone - be creating subtle damage?
A 2010 study claims that the average child clocks up more
than seven hours of screen time a day (far more than my boys), and may experience sensory overload, lack of sleep, and
a hyperaroused nervous system.
Researchers say these children are impulsive, moody, and can't pay attention, which links into the brain scan results.
Researchers say these children are impulsive, moody, and can't pay attention, which links into the brain scan results.
Much of the damage, they report, occurs in the frontal lobe,
the most recently-developed part of the brain. This structure undergoes massive
changes throughout childhood and into the mid-twenties. If development is
impaired, the consequences can be severe: from a reduced sense of wellbeing to academic
or relationship problems.
From my perspective, the boys seem pretty well-balanced at
the moment. I try to give Ben plenty of opportunity to talk about what he's
seen, and some days he has no screen time at all. James can't really process
what he's watching beyond naming objects 'Piggle', 'Ninkynonk', ‘Daisy', etc. (yes
he adores In the Night Garden).
Luckily I rate Cbeebies highly, and neither of the boys yet
knows of the existence of commercial channels. In fact I credit it with teaching
Ben all his numbers while I was busy with the baby. Plus it keeps them happy
while I'm organising the day's nappy bags and lunch boxes, to the benefit of
everyone!
by Kate Richards
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