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9 16

Research finds negative effects of screen time on kids, including higher rates of OCD and attention disorders.

Two new studies show associations between screen time and behavioral and psychological risks for children, adding to a growing body of evidence that excessive use of smartphones and other devices can be deleterious to their health.

In one study, researchers reported a link between screen time and higher rates of obsessive-compulsive disorder diagnoses among preteens. In the other, the results suggested that using electronic devices to calm youngsters when they’re upset may inhibit their ability to learn to soothe themselves, leading to more frequent, intense emotional outbursts.

My daughter Claire was born in 1990. Her dad, an artist and schoolteacher, and I severely limited her screen time. Research was clear that screen time hurts children's ability to learn and focus in school and ability to learn self-control. It increases attention deficit disorders.

Starting at age three, Claire was only allowed three half-hour children's TV shows per week. She chose Sesame Street. Claire was not allowed to play video games.

Instead Claire became a reader, athlete, good friend and scholar. At 32, Claire plays tennis, runs and does yoga. Last year, Claire quit using social media websites. Bravo!

[nbcnews.com]

LiterateHiker 9 Jan 2
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9 comments

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1

When my daughter was six months old I arrived home one evening from work while her mother was unpacking a shopping bag. She placed 12 jars of Heinz baby food on the kitchen table. Later, when she was asleep I threw the baby food in the trash can and took care of my daughter’s diet thereafter.

Of the many things that I taught and shared with my daughter I recall teaching her to swim when she was two years old. Four years ago she took second place in the UKBFF (United Kingdom Bodybuilders Fitness Federation) final.

@ASTRALMAX

Wow! You must be so proud of your daughter.

Instead of processed baby food, I bought a manual baby food grinder. It went in the dishwasher. Cooked fruits, meats and vegetables softer for Claire. Stirred in a little water. Baby Claire ate what we did minus the salt and spices.

No chemicals, preservatives, salt or sugar. Like me, Claire never drank soda pop.

On her first birthday, you should have seen Claire's face when she first tasted ice cream! I made her a healthy carrot cake.

@LiterateHiker She worked hard to get to national competition level and did well to take second place in the UKBFF Finals. When she was a baby I did the same thing, cooking foods and then liquidizing them for her.

5

I like tv, and playing on my phone.

This is on parents.
I don't care otherwise.

4

There was a video circulating online about a woman in South Africa who took her son’s cell phone from him. When she returned from work she discovered that he had took a hammer and smashed everything in the house, smashed the bathroom sink, toilet bowl and bathroom cupboards and mirrors, he destroyed everything in the whole house.

@ASTRALMAX

We took away Claire's phone for a year. Claire's dad and I joke that we each aged 10 years when Claire was 14.

"This is temporary" was my mantra. I took the long view. I was right.

Yikes! That's some serious impulse control issue!

6

Worrying. Does that apply to computer screens too, and do you still count as a kid at sixty five ?

@Fernapple

Screens include cell phones, I-pads, video games, youtube, television, and staring at a computer to watch documentaries, movies, porn, etc.

Everyone knows adults need to exercise daily. Sitting is unhealthy.

Watching screens changes children's and teenager's brains. Online porn addiction treatment centers have opened around the world.

I wince when I see parents hand a baby or toddler their cell phone to distract them.

The grocery store is a wonderful learning opportunity. "Look, Claire, this is celery. Green. Smell this, strawberries! Red."

3

I sold my television back in 1999. In the mail one morning I received a TV Licence renewal letter which I read as I drank my morning coffee. I could count on two hands the number of times I watched TV in the past year and decided not to renew the licence.

When my daughter was a child we very rarely watched TV as there were so many fun things to do with outdoor activities, children’s theatres, art galleries and museums to visit etc.

6

Clearly you and your husband raised your daughter with thoughtful, focused guidance and she's become a beautiful, healthy, accomplished adult.

But while I can agree with the theme, I think the parameters were too broad, or at least as they're explained in this article, so there's the danger of it sounding anti-technology. I don't think the method of transmission is nearly as critical as the content, and there have already been studies showing that children who are ADHD actually benefit by using technology in a way that seems to calm their inner angst, so did the OCD develop from the electronics or could it be the reverse?

My daughter was allowed to watch PBS but we didn't have cable, so even that was eventually lost and we depended upon tapes/DVDs and it was easy for me to control the content. Together we watched regular shows for entertainment but also amazing documentaries (we have a fabulous library system and utilized it often). She and my other girls are gamers (electronic and real world) who have friends around the world that they keep up with by way of technology, and she's an accomplished digital artist. Whether TVs, games, or phones, I think the important part is what's being consumed, and whether it's being consumed to escape from the real world, or to enhance it.

@Lauren

Thank you!

My son still sends a check every year to PBS and KERA for being there. Content not delivery method.

@glennlab My daughter does, too! While watching her stream a while ago, I smiled to myself when I heard Radiolab playing in the background in her studio.

3

This is going to trigger a long discussion.... It's what I'd call a four pint problem or possibly more

5

As a kid my parents restricted how much TV we got to watch. AND it was only a black and white TV! We played outside as the weather permitted. In the winter months we had paper, water color paints, pencils and various games.
As far as tantrums? To our rooms! No going out, no games, just sit in our room. NO acting up when we went to the store to shop to eat out.
The first time I got to watch a color TV without restriction I was 20 years old. I'd be glued to the screen - even watched the damn commercials! It was indeed addictive, so I did not buy one.
Now, I've had a TV at times but for the last 12 years no TV. Just the internet.
Yeah, all that technology is great, in it's place.

@silverotter11

Love your reply! Like you, I never bought a TV. Television is a scourge.

@LiterateHiker The internet is now the main contender for the top spot. Thing is the internet is so MUCH more than the social media fuckery. I love history, geology, archeology, the old BW noir movies and I can filter out the BS. That has nothing to do with being an adult but with having a high value on my mind and sanity.

Story of.my childhood. The tv was only turned on for specific times (except when my father was home from work), but other than that, I was was out in the forest, or inside by the stove when it was cold.

7

I restricted my kids' screen time. The now joke that they grew up Amish. For my oldest, their household goods seem to be lost somewhere in Amsterdam, and the iPad is the only "toy" her kids have. They get lots of screen time. However, they got toys and books for Christmas, so that should help to cut down on screen time, and we hope the household goods are delivered soon.

My kids also lament/joke about all the things they weren't allowed to do as children. Now that they are adults, the pendulum has swung the total opposite way! They do all the things that I didn't think was good for them. They still turned out just fine and are so happy to do as they please now.

My grandkids are a bit addicted to their iPads, but it's just the way things are nowadays especially because of the pandemic. For a year or two, going to school and playing outside with neighbor kids wasn't allowed due to covid, so they ended up playing video games online with neighbors instead. They're both wicked smart, but also both have ADHD. I'm not going to say anything about the way they are being raised, since I'm not sure my restrictive lifestyle was 100% best for them either. We all do what we feel is right at the time with what we have going on around us.

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