To cope with behavioral problems linked to excessive screen use, such as aggression or anxiety, some children take refuge... in screens. While this vicious circle aspect of the screen phenomenon is not widely discussed, it has been highlighted by a comprehensive Australian study published this week.
It has long been known that screens are harmful to children. Excessive exposure (several hours a day) has been linked to cognitive development delays, as well as learning, language, and memory disorders. And in adolescents, excessive screen use may cause manic symptoms, such as mood disorders and sleep disturbances. But a new meta-analysis highlights a lesser-known problem.
The study reports that excessive screen use can exacerbate socioemotional problems (anxiety, depression, aggression, hyperactivity, etc) in children... in turn driving them to screens to cope with these issues. This vicious circle mainly affects children aged 6 to 10 and seems to be more prevalent in boys than in girls.
Conducted by psychology professors at the University of Queensland (Australia), the research in question examined around 100 studies involving more than 292,000 children from around the world. The findings are published in the journal Psychological Bulletin.
Most of the studies included in this research were conducted in the United States (41 studies), Canada (13), Australia (11), Germany and the Netherlands (7 each).
The effects of video games
The researchers found that video games are associated with higher risks of developing behavioral disorders compared to other screen-based content, including those intended for educational or recreational purposes.
"As a kid I loved video games – they give you a challenge and powerful feedback when you’re doing a good job. For this reason, games are particularly tempting for children having problems and especially hard to get children away from," says study senior author, associate professor Michael Noetel from UQ’s School of Psychology, quoted in a news release.
While it's true that some video games have an educational dimension (some of them have even been recognised as a vehicle for mental well-being among teenagers), excessive use can be counterproductive.
"Dr Noetel said parents and policymakers have long debated whether screens cause problems, or whether children with problems were simply drawn to screens," the news release notes. "Our review shows it’s both," he adds.
"If we only address one side of the equation – cutting down on screen time but overlooking anxiety or aggression that leads kids to screens – we risk leaving children stuck in a cycle."
However, the researcher tempers this by pointing out that the emotional and behavioral disorders mentioned can also be explained by other factors, such as exposure to alcohol and/or drugs.
Follow the 3-6-9-12 rule
In France, some health professionals now recommend keeping children under six away from screens entirely, which is three years longer than the current official recommendations (ie, no screens before three).
To help parents limit their children's screen time, French pediatrician Serge Tisseron has invented the 3-6-9-12 rule, designed according to children's age and stage of cognitive development.
The rules to remember are as follows: no screens before the age of 3, no personal consoles before the age of 6, no Internet before the age of 9, and no Internet without supervision before the age of 12.
Other initiatives have recently emerged to encourage children and teenagers to "detox” from digital devices, such as the challenge of spending 10 days without using any screens at all, in favor of activities that promote relaxation and creativity. – AFP Relaxnews
