Strict regulations proposed for children's use of smartphones by a brain scientist
As the start of school in NRW approaches, the use of digital media by children is a growing concern for many parents. Psychiatrist and neuroscientist Manfred Spitzer, known for his work on "Digital Demenza," has raised alarm bells about the potential risks associated with excessive smartphone use in children and adolescents.
Spitzer, who has been vocal about the impact of digital media on both physical health and education, believes that smartphones often act as "babysitters" and platforms like YouTube as "teachers," leading to decreased mental engagement and brain function. The overuse of digital devices, he argues, interferes with natural brain development and cognitive performance.
One of the physical health risks Spitzer mentions is that looking at a smartphone reduces physical activity, leading to weight gain. This, in turn, can increase the risk of heart attacks in adulthood. Additionally, Spitzer points out that excessive use of digital media can lead to cognitive deterioration, mental fog, reduced learning and memory capabilities, anxiety, depression, and impaired emotional regulation.
In terms of education, Spitzer criticizes the digitalization of schools, believing it disadvantages weaker students. He suggests that education can also suffer due to excessive use of digital media. Spitzer's concerns extend to the impact of digital media on schools and learning, and he advocates for stricter youth protection laws for digital media, similar to those for alcohol.
In response to these concerns, Spitzer advises parents to consciously limit their children's use of tablets and smartphones. He compares the lack of seriousness about smartphone use in children to allowing them to have a sip of alcohol in kindergarten. However, his call for stricter youth protection laws for digital media is controversial.
References:
- Digital Dementia: Are We Raising a Generation of Idiots?
- Digital Dementia: How Technology is Changing the Way We Think
- The Digital Dementia Epidemic: Protect Your Brain from Tech Addiction
- The Impact of Digital Media on Children's Health and Education
- The Mental Health Impact of Screen Time on Children and Adolescents
- Science, technology, and health-and-wellness experts, like Manfred Spitzer who studies "Digital Dementia," caution against excessive smartphone use in children, as it may pose threats to their mental health and cognitive development.
- Smartphones, tablets, and digital media are increasingly used by children, but psychiatrist Manfred Spitzer asserts that they can interfere with natural brain development, reducing learning, memory, and emotional regulation capabilities.
- According to neuroscientist Manfred Spitzer, overuse of smartphones and digital devices can contribute to physical health risks such as weight gain and increased risk of heart attacks in adulthood due to lowered physical activity levels.
- In an effort to protect children from potential digital-related health problems, Manfred Spitzer suggests that parents limit their children's use of smartphones and supports stricter youth protection laws for digital media, reminiscent of those controlling alcohol consumption.
