Take a minute to look around the next time you leave your home and venture off into a public place. If we live on the same planet, it won’t be long before you see a kid with eyes glued to a screen that is nearly as big as its face. While in the 21st century we saw incredible technological developments, the parents realized it was convenient to turn a child’s smartphone or tablet for boredom or temper tantrum. Nonetheless, this thing called “screen dependency disorder” causes brand new mental health and behavioral problems in young children. Some of them are crying, some breaking things and some are even threatening suicide.
Screen Dependency Disorder In Kids
The most important conversation between parents is how much of a child’s screen time is right. And the one and the only answer are, there is no recommended amount of screen time for a child. Nonetheless, the American Academy of Paediatrics reports that, for children 2-5 years of age, only one hour of screen time a day may be recommended; and for children 18 months and under, no scre should be allowed.
Symptoms Of Screen Dependency Disorder
If you have a child or grandchild, the following symptoms can occur if their screen time – particularly on the internet and video games – jeopardizes their ability to function.
- Increasing tolerance
- Failure to reduce or stop screen activities
- Loss of outside interests
- Continuation despite negative consequences
- Lying about the extent of use
- Use to escape adverse moods
Tips To Manage Screen Dependency Disorder In Kids
According to the new recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics for children’s media use and the methods used by Dr. Lynn:
1. Children Below 18 Months
Screen time for kids is a complete no-no if they’re under 18 months. Parents will pick an interactive curriculum appropriate for the age for children aged 18 – 24 months and explain to the child what they are seeing.
2. Children 2 – 5 Years
In any case, the recommended screen time for 2-5-year-old children should be just one hour per day. Parents should try and encourage kids to watch some educational videos and get them to understand what they watch.
3. Children Older Than 6 Years
Fix a time for the screen, and limit it to the time specified. Keep a watch on your child’s media type. You can also use a parental lock to restrict your child’s detection of inappropriate places.
4. Set Rules For Media-Free Time Together
Family outing drives and social activities should be a media-free time, not just for children, but for every family member as well. Consider your dining area and bedroom a media-free zone entirely.
Screen Dependency Disorder In Teenagers &Adults
Screen dependency disorder is not only common in children, but is also a serious behavioral disorder in young people today. They use the computer not only for the purpose of their work but also for unlimited gaming, watching videos and constantly updating social media. Texting and browsing via Tumblr or Pinterest until late in the night is a very common habit among teenagers today.
Adults and teens experience different types of screen dependency disorder
- Problematic internet use
- Compulsive internet use
- Pathological video game use
- Video game addiction
- Pathological technology use
- Online game addiction
- Mobile phone dependence
- Social network site addiction
- Facebook addiction
Symptoms Of Screen Dependency Disorder In Adults
There is always a significant correlation drawn between the addictive use of the Internet and some forms of mental illness. Here are some behavioral and physical symptoms that show up when an adult becomes prey to SDD.
- Sleep deprivation or Insomnia
- Sudden weight gain or weight loss
- A backache
- Binge-eating
- Weak eyesight
- A headache
Effects Of Screen Dependency Disorder In Body
It is a fact that a bright screen affects the good night’s sleep. There are plenty more consequences that a prolonged screen exposure can have on your body.
1. Cyber Sickness
Cybersickness signs can be seen by scrolling through the cell phone for hours or watching a high-paced video for a long time. Signs such as headache, confusion, dizziness, nausea are involved. Studies have found that women are more vulnerable to cyber disease than men.
2. Sight Weakness
Perhaps our parents were always right in telling us to keep a distance away from watching TV. Yet we keep a television just inches away from our eyes these days. The screen’s blue light damages the retina and causes eye strain.
3. Metabolic Syndrome
This condition involves diabetes, obesity and high blood pressure, all resulting from a lifestyle that is abnormally sedentary. An increased screen will keep you confined to your bed or sofa. The physical activity is greatly low. The connection between increased screen time and metabolic syndrome was recognized in a 2008 study.
Although the digital screen is a blessing to mankind, it is also a bane. We, humans, became this gadget’s slave. We prefer to give them telephones and tablets in order to avoid a cranky child mess. The behavior of children has changed. We do not feel energized at any moment and spend hours glued to the television is their only favorite pastime.
Not only in children but in adults, this behavior has to be changed. The best way to get rid of this problem is to get clinical advice.
Also Read: Ways To Protect Eyes From Computer And Mobile Screen
