When asked whether parents notice changes in their children when they spend time on cell phones, tablets or PCs, it was particularly noticeable that 35.4 percent of those surveyed noticed their child's ability to concentrate was poorer. 36.1 percent stated that young people who use digital media have less interest in sporting activities or games in the traditional sense with other children or alone. These are the results of a survey conducted by the opinion research institute Civey among parents about the influence of digital media on their children.
Consumption of digital media can lead to developmental problems in children
The background to these problems is explained by Dr. Marion Kolb, medical director of the day clinic for child and adolescent psychiatry and psychotherapy at the Bergmannsheil and Buer Children's Clinic in Gelsenkirchen: “Two to five-year-old children who use media for more than 30 minutes a day are increasingly experiencing language development disorders as well as restlessness and motor hyperactivity , distractibility and difficulty concentrating. Various representative studies have undoubtedly come to the conclusion that there is a connection between intensive media use and developmental disorders in children. Even excessive passive consumption of media – a television on in the background – has a negative impact by distracting young children from their childlike play and social interactions.”
According to the survey, 20.6 percent of parents observe sleep problems. “Excessive media consumption can affect sleep patterns in the form of difficulty falling asleep, daytime sleepiness or shortened sleep duration. Even in infants, there is a connection with feeding and sleeping problems if the primary caregiver uses digital media at the same time while caring for them,” confirms Dr. Marion Kolb.
The connection between digital media and weight remains unclear
Few parents notice an influence on their children's weight due to the use of digital media. Only 8.3 percent of the parents surveyed said they had observed a change in weight (gain or loss) in their children. Nevertheless, this point should not be neglected, as the expert emphasizes: “Excessive exposure to digital media can also have physical consequences. Studies of 8 to 13-year-olds have shown that if they consume media for more than 60 minutes per day, they consume more sweets and sweet drinks, which can certainly lead to obesity. Other young people, on the other hand, neglect their needs such as hunger, thirst or hygiene, so that some also lose weight with excessive media use.”
At what age should children be allowed to play games on their cell phones or tablets?
26.3 percent of parents agreed that children should not play games on their cell phones or tablets until they are 9 to 12 years old at the earliest. 29.0 percent think children should be allowed to do this from the age of 6 to 8. Overall, 55.3 percent of parents are of the opinion that games on tablets/mobile phones should not be used before the age of 6. Only 3.6 percent of parents would allow use for children under the age of three and 15.7 percent between the ages of 3 and 5.
“The course for digital media consumption is set in preschool age, when self-reflective media use is not yet possible,” says Dr. Kolb. The doctor makes it clear: “You should not use media independently under the age of two. Parents should clearly limit daily media times. Guideline values for 7 to 10 year olds are 45 minutes, for 11 to 13 year olds 60 minutes, and for ages 14 and over 90 minutes. There is evidence of harmful or addictive media consumption if media use impairs the child's motor, language or socio-emotional development. The same applies if excessive use causes physical problems such as headaches and sleep disorders or if intensive media consumption becomes a solution to existing psychological problems (ADHD, depression, anxiety). Then families should urgently seek professional help.”
About the methodology
The nationwide Civey survey included the answers from 2,000 parents of children up to 18 years of age in the household between October 26th. were surveyed online until November 11th, 2022 on the following questions: “Do you notice changes in your child/children when they spend time on their cell phone/tablet or PC? and “At what age do you think children should be allowed to play games on their cell phones or tablets?” Multiple answers were possible for all questions. Taking into account the statistical error of 3.8 percentage points, the results are representative of the population.
Source:
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