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Master's Message children's class discussion topic of the week.
Spending excessive time on iPads and mobile phones can have several negative effects on people, their development and well-being. Here are some of the primary concerns:
1. Physical Health Issues
Eye Strain: Prolonged screen time can cause digital eye strain, which may result in headaches, dry eyes, and blurred vision.
Posture Problems: Children often use devices in dangerous positions that strain their neck, shoulders, and back, potentially leading to posture issues. A new condition has since been referred to as 'Tech Neck".
Sleep Disruption: The blue light emitted by screens effects melatonin production, making it harder for children to fall asleep, stay asleep, and to reach the deeper states of sleep required for repair of the body, mind and spiritual development.
2. Mental and Emotional Effects
Reduced Attention Span: Excessive screen time can make children more prone to distractions and reduce their attention span over time, to the point of mimicking Attention Deficit Disorder.
Increased Anxiety and Stress: Excessive exposure to social media and online interactions can lead to feelings of inadequacy, anxiety, and stress, as people compare themselves to the fake people and fake lives of those they see on social media.
Impact on Emotional Regulation: Overuse of digital devices can limit children’s ability to develop healthy emotional coping skills as they begin to rely on screens for instant gratification or distraction, which imbalances the hormones in their brain.
3. Cognitive Development Concerns
Delayed Language and Social Skills: Spending too much time on screens can delay and damage the development of language skills and real-world social interactions.
Lower Academic Performance: Time spent on non-educational screen activities can take away from reading, studying, or engaging in creative and critical thinking exercises.
4. Behavioral Issues
Addictive Behaviors: Smartphones and apps are often designed to be highly engaging, which can lead to addictive use and withdrawal-like behaviors when access is restricted. The addiction is often due to the release of specific hormones in the brain.
Aggression and Impulsivity: Some studies suggest that excessive exposure to fast-paced games or violent media can increase impulsive behaviors and aggressive tendencies in children.
5. Decreased Physical Activity
Sedentary Lifestyle: Spending long hours on screens can reduce time available for outdoor play and exercise, contributing to issues such as obesity, decreased physical fitness and not enough vitamin D from sunlight which leads to depression.
We require our martial arts students to attend two lessons per week to give them some time away from electronic devices, to provided exercise, improve their focus, help strengthen and correct posture, release stress and anxiety, and to release 'happy hormones' naturally rather than through addiction.
Tips to Reduce These Risks
Set Time Limits: Establish clear rules for screen time, such as limiting usage to one or two hours a day for non-educational purposes.
Encourage Breaks: Promote the 20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes, take a 20-second break and look at something 20 feet away to reduce eye strain.
Encourage Offline Activities: Encourage hobbies and activities like reading, sports, or playing with friends outdoors to balance screen time.
Ensure Device-Free Zones: Create areas in the house, such as the dining table or bedrooms, where screen use is not allowed.
Being mindful of the time children spend on digital devices and ensuring they engage in a variety of activities can help mitigate the potential risks associated with too much screen time.
Cobra Martial Arts & Fitness Centres - Personal Development Program - 1991.
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