Using too much technology can slow down children's development?

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Society is increasingly developing, electronic technology devices are present almost everywhere. Therefore, it is not difficult for children to access and use technology devices. Letting children use technology devices has not really brought many benefits, but on the contrary, it also leads to many harms for young children. A question that many people are interested in is whether using too much technology can slow down a child's development?

1. Excessive use of technology devices can slow down children's development?

Currently, many toddlers are spending a lot of time in the day using technology devices such as watching TV, watching phones,... According to a new study, children spend more time. recommended levels of screen time (television, phones, computers, ..) and prolonged screen time can affect a child's development.
Over 5 years, researchers surveyed nearly 2,500 mothers in Canada, asking them how much time toddlers typically spend viewing or interacting with screens of electronic devices such as computers tablet, smartphone, TV, computer or other device on weekdays and weekends. The mothers also completed a standardized developmental screening questionnaire for their children at ages 2, 3, and 5.
The results of this study were published in the journal JAMA Pediatrics:
2-year-olds spend an average of 2.5 hours a day using technology. That amounted to more than 3.5 hours a day for 3-year-olds. For both age groups, this is significantly more than the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommendation of 1 hour per day of device use. Children who spend more time on devices between the ages of 2-3 years old, the lower their development score at ages 3 - 5. These scores measure a child's communication, motor, problem-solving, and social skills.
As such, the study does not prove that screen time causes developmental delays, but it does show a correlation between the two. This also adds to a growing body of research linking excessive screen time in children to a variety of problems, including obesity, sleep problems and unhealthy habits. and social, emotional, and behavioral delays.
The lead author of this study, Sheri Madigan, likened screen time to kids eating junk food. A little is okay, but too much can have health consequences for a child.
Of course, for busy parents, where technology devices are always present in daily life, reducing children's exposure to these devices will be "easier said than done" .
Remember that it's not just toddlers who spend too much time using too many technology devices. Research by Common Sense Media and the US National Library of Medicine shows that older children and adolescents also spend many hours each day in front of a television, phone, or computer screen.

2. How long is it safe for children to use electronic devices?

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends turning off all screens around infants and toddlers (children under 18 months). Children 18 months and older can use electronic devices a little, but it should not be more than an hour a day.
Children under 18 months: should not use technology devices, except video chat with distant relatives. Children from 18 to 24 months old: should not use technology devices or if necessary limit the number of programs and friends to watch with them. Children 2 to 5 years old: can use technology for up to 1 hour a day with high-quality programming and have an adult watch with them to help them understand what they are watching. Children 6 years and older: limit screen time consistently, ensuring that digital media time doesn't interfere with other important activities like studying, sleeping, and exercising. exercise. But the American Academy of Pediatrics also stresses that setting limits on screen time isn't enough: It's important for parents to choose programs and games that are age-appropriate, and engage your child during device time rather than simply handing over the phone to your child to use as an electronic babysitter.

A recent survey in the US found that 2 out of 3 babies and 4 out of 5 toddlers watch movies, TV shows or videos online. About 16% start watching phone/TV screens before the baby is 3 months old and 50% by the time the baby is 7 months old. Overall, 1 in 5 kids watch more than 3 hours a day.
Although there is no survey on children using electronic devices in Vietnam, the reality is that more and more children are being allowed to use these devices earlier and for more time.
Obviously, this is not in line with what the experts prescribe. Parents often let children use phones, watch TV to make it easier for children to eat, to have time to do other jobs, sometimes to have time to rest.

3. How does time using electronic devices affect children's learning?

A child's brain develops fastest during the first three years of life, and children learn best when they fully utilize all five senses to receive information. The experience of holding an apple, smelling it, tasting it, and hearing its name through a real person is far richer than seeing an image of an apple on a screen and hearing the sound from it.
The biggest concern is related to letting children use electronic devices, letting them spend time on them, instead of children participating in other activities. The latest recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics emphasize the importance of parental involvement: If you're going to let your baby or toddler watch the phone/television, it's best to sit down. with your child, make it an activity that you both participate in.
Even turning on the TV in the background can harm children. To date, no one knows the full impact, but some scientists believe that background sounds and images distract young children from play, which is essential for a child's learning. child.
Claire Lerner, a social worker and parenting counselor at Zero to Three, a nonprofit focused on early childhood development, says: "Children need a lot of focus and focus. The use of electronic devices hinders cognitive development."
Besides, she adds, for babies and toddlers who have a long sleep duration (>12 hours/day), the amount of time a child is awake is not much, it should not be left for most of this time. Children use electronic devices.

Until now, studies have not proven that too much use of technology will slow down a child's development. But studies have shown that there is a correlation between the use of technology devices and children's developmental delay. Therefore, parents need to consider the use of technology devices for their children, and if so, how and for how long.
For the best development of children, parents need to supplement their children with essential micro-minerals such as zinc, lysine, chromium, selenium, vitamin B1, ... to fully meet the nutritional needs of children. The addition of these essential vitamins also supports digestion, enhances nutrient absorption, improves anorexia, and helps children eat well. Parents can simultaneously apply dietary supplements and functional foods derived from nature for easy absorption. The most important thing is that improving your baby's symptoms often takes a long time. The combination of many types of functional foods at the same time or continuously changing many types in a short time can cause the baby's digestive system not to adapt and completely not good. Therefore, parents must be really patient with their children and regularly visit the website vimec.com to update useful baby care information.
Article referenced source: Babycenter.com