Scientific reasons why limit the use of smartphones in children

The smartphone It has become one of the most used instruments in recent times. Mobile phones with internet connection have become a reason for discussion in many families given the abuse that many young people make of these terminals. But do not give in when limiting these devices in children and adolescents because their excessive use can have negative consequences.

From the American Association of Pediatrics a decalogue is offered with the consequences of abusing the smartphones and that advise parents to limit the use of these terminals in their children. Effects ranging from a greater likelihood of developing obesity due to a sedentary lifestyle that involves the use of these devices, to alterations in sleep.


Reasons to limit its use

As already mentioned, from the American Association of Pediatrics these are indicated grounds to limit the use of smartphones in children:

- Brain development of children. Excessive presence is associated with a presence of attention deficit, cognitive delays, learning problems. It also frequently increases the impulsivity of the child and the lack of self-control in the little ones

- Delay in the development of the child. The abuse of technologies can limit the child's cognitive abilities, and consequently, academic performance, literacy, attention and abilities.

- Childhood obesity. Being stuck to the screen translates into a sedentary lifestyle, which implies more cases of obesity that leads to diabetes, vascular and cardiac health problems.


- Alterations of the child's sleep. Many children and adolescents continue to use their cell phones in their rooms, which causes greater difficulty when it comes to falling asleep. A bad rest negatively affects academic performance.

- Mental diseases. The abuse of new technologies is related to increasing rates of childhood depression and anxiety, attachment disorders, attention deficit, bipolar disorder, psychosis and other behavioral problems.

- Aggressive behaviors in childhood. Through new technologies, children are exposed to violent and aggressive content that can alter their behavior. In addition, reliance on these devices makes fights more likely to occur when parents require children to stop using these devices.

- Lack or attention deficit. Dependence on new technologies is related to attention deficit. The concentration and memory of children is reduced.


- Child addiction. Currently 1 in 11 children between 8 and 18 years old are addicted to new technologies.

- Exposure to radiation. The World Health Organization, WHO, classifies smartphones as a risk due to their radiation emission. Children are more sensitive to this exposure and there is a risk of getting diseases such as cancer.

- Overexposure The constant and overexposure of children to technology makes them vulnerable, exploitable and exposed to abuse.

Reduce its use

Seeing these effects negative It becomes clear that parents should limit the use of smartphones in their children to what is necessary. Here are some tips to get it:

1. Technological responsibility. If the child receives a smartphone, he must accept a series of rules for responsible use. If you violate them, there will be penalties.

2. Phone review. Among these rules should be the review of the activity that the child performs. You must accept that parents can see from time to time the use you make with your mobile.

3. Parental filters. The child must accept that browsers and other applications install filters to prevent access to content not recommended for their age.

4. At school, the mobile is not used. We may want the child to bring a Smartphone to school to be located in case of emergency. But just for that, not for fun or distraction. In class the mobile should not be used.

5. Beware of personal information. The child should never provide information that can give clues on how to locate it. In the event that these data are necessary to install an application, parents should be consulted to assess security.

6. Be careful with the phone. Not only must ensure the physical integrity of the mobile, you also have to be careful not to install applications of dubious origin that can open the door of the smartphone to other people.

7. The phone is not your life. We must transmit to the child that his mobile is a tool, not an object through which he can live. The need to relate in person and to depend as little as possible on this object must be inculcated.

8. Learn from mistakes. It is inevitable that the child will occasionally exceed the use of the mobile phone. We will take advantage of these situations to improve your education.

9. Communication. If someone starts to annoy a child through their mobile, they should know that the first thing to do is to inform the parents of this situation.

10. Do not use it for harassment. The child may find it funny to play a joke on a friend through his smartphone. You have to make him see that just as he can be annoyed to receive these thanks, to the other person as well.

Damián Montero

Video: How Is Your Phone Changing You?


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