Impact of Screen Addiction

 Being surrounded by screens at home, at work and at school can be challenging for everyone. Using electronic devices has become the norm for most of the families in the U.S and in other modern countries around the world. Parents and children can be vulnerable in the presence of attractive electronic devices such as phones or computers because it stimulates the pathway of pleasure in the brain involving the release of a neurochemical called dopamine. Although the access and the use of electronics have many advantages, they also pose an extremely notable risks on people’s behaviors. What happens to the ability to develop imagination while children spend so much time on the screen instead of reading, drawing, doing puzzles, or playing outside face to face with their peers? One important factor to consider is that age has a direct correlation to the severity of addiction to electronics; the younger children are when they first begin to be exposed to screens, the more they risk they have to develop an addiction. For this reason, it is important to focus on early intervention as it gives families the best chance to be able to modify their child’s behavior and to establish a healthy relationship with the use of electronics. Research shows that children and adolescents who spend too many hours in front of a screen can develop issues regarding their focus, become less physically active, have sleep issues, poor grades. Additionally, their relationships with peers and family weaken and their mental health and well being deteriorate. When children and adolescents are more sensitive to depression, anxiety, social anxiety, are diagnosed with such mental health diagnosis, have ADHD or Autism, they might be more at risk to fall into the addiction of video games, or the Internet. Children and adolescents can be victims of cyberbullying, potentially leading to suicidal thoughts or behaviors. 

 Physical Symptoms 

Migraines Sleep 

Disturbances Back/ Neckaches

 Carpal Tunnel Syndrome 

Eye irritation

 Increased risk of epileptic seizures Isolation 

 Psychological Symptoms 

Depression / Anxiety

 Irritability

Angry outbursts

Decreased motivation 

Conflict with parents and peers Diminished interest in academic or extracurricular activities 

 it is becoming more common that parents or even professional think that the child has a screen addiction but if we look closer it might just be bad habits.

What kind of habits does your child have when they use the screen?  

 Physical Symptoms 

Migraines Sleep 

Disturbances Back/ Neckaches

 Carpal Tunnel Syndrome 

Eye irritation

 Increased risk of epileptic seizures Isolation 

 Psychological Symptoms 

Depression / Anxiety

 Irritability

Angry outbursts

Decreased motivation 

Conflict with parents and peers Diminished interest in academic or extracurricular activities