See the risks of excess screens for children and teenagers

See the risks of excess screens for children and teenagers


The overload of digital visual stimulus compromises the development of motor, tactile and sensory experiences

The scene is common: a child enchanted by the phone screen during family lunch. A five -year -old boy with a social network profile. A teenager who exchanges sleeping for hours of infinite scrolling on social networks. What may seem harmless or even “modern” hides deep risks for the development of the child and life in society.




“We are naturalizing the digitization of childhood without considering the impact Subjective and neurophysiological of this choice. The free game, the concrete world and facial relationships -faccio are replaced by digital stimuli that are often not positive and not equivalent to the stimuli provided by the attention and care of the family and the community “, warns the psychologist La Mutiberia, a specialist in the neuroscience of behavior and mental health.

Losses of screens for development

The early exposure to the screens, especially in early childhood, can compromise the development of vision and increase the incidence of glasses at increasingly smaller age. But the damage goes further. “The overload of digital visual stimuli compromises the development of motor, tactile and sensory experiences, essential for the formation of integrated neural circuits, also responsible for subjectivity and emotional development”, explains LaĆ­s Mutuation.

The expert emphasizes that in childhood, the excessive use of digital devices reduces spontaneous interactions and face-to-face interactions, key elements for the acquisition of socio-emotional skills such as empathy, emotional language and self-regulation.



I like the search and validation can influence self -esteem and encourage the development of mental health problems

The logic of altitude and its risks

The constant exposure of children on social networks, often strengthened by “practices”Sharenting“, sharing excessive Of the lives of children by parents and guardians, it also has dangerous consequences. “When we impose the logic of performance, aesthetics and hypersexualization to children, we create an environment in favor of car distortions -image and psychic suffering,” says the psychologist.

In adolescence, the problem worsens. I like the search and virtual validation can lead to addiction, affect the identity, self -esteem and increase in vulnerability to disorders such as anxiety and depression. In extreme cases, the display of the child’s image can culminate in situations of abuse and complex trauma.

Fragile ties and excess dopamine

From a psychosocial point of view, the mutiberry of LA highlights another worrying phenomenon: the loss of symbolic processing and the fragility of the ties. “Hyperconnetivity promotes superficial relationships, based on the logic of immediacy and easy reward. Children and adolescents are losing the ability to support attention, plan, memorize and reflect critically”, warns.

According to the psychologist, the continuous use of social networks and digital games active dopaminergic circuits of brain – the same involved in chemical dependence images. The result is a cycle that can culminate in loss of control, apathy, irritability, decrease in school performance and sleep disturbances.

Adults must also rethink their habits

Technological progress has brought undeniable benefits, but the challenge lies in conscious use, and this is also true for adults. “The danger is that these transformations occur in small doses. A mobile phone delivered to” calm “the child may seem like an harmless gesture, but, when he repeats himself, transforms habits and ways of living,” says Mutuberria.

Proposes a reflection: “Have you ever thought about what you share on your children on the networks? Your use of the screens is aligned with the values ​​you want to teach? Is your children’s childhood protected or exposed?”

The reconnection is urgent

For the expert, it is essential to save simple values: family quality time, authentic coexistence, affection and respect for the time of every phase of life. “Childhood is not a place of productivity or adultization. It is a moment that must be lived with freedom, protection and presence “, he concludes.

By Annete Morhy

Source: Terra

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