For some people the Internet can be as addictive as crack cocaine and it turns out with recent research in, screen time affects the brain's frontal cortex in very much the same way that cocaine does. That's right mom and dad, your kid's brain on Pokémon looks the same as a brain on drugs.
As a mature woman who has raised two boys and the proud grandmother of four, I first discovered the addictive qualities of the internet when I started working in marketing. Before I could say #OMG I found myself staring at adorable interspecies encounters of animals on my computer for hours.
It got me thinking, if I could so easily get hooked what about all the parents who are providing screens to their young children as a distraction? What kind of damage is it doing to their still developing brains? So I did some research, using Google of course, and found psychologist and school consultant Catherine Steiner-Adair, author of the best-selling book "The Big Disconnect: Protecting Childhood and Family Relationships in the Digital Age."
In her book Dr. Steiner-Adair, says that children between the ages of eight and eighteen are spending more time on electronic devices than anything else, (except maybe sleep), averaging up to seven and a half hours a day, seven days a week. While doing this, they are sending instant messages to friends, uploading YouTube videos, posting updates on Facebook, all while searching the internet for new and fresh diversions. She goes on to say that while the digital devices were originally designed to serve and connect us, these devices, over time, have come to define us.
Some of the signs of overdependence or internet addiction in children are compulsive gaming, internet use, obsession with social media, withdrawal, irritability and social anxiety. It’s important to talk to your teens about these tough issues early on to prevent developmental issues later in life.
If you suspect your child has a problem you might try some of these tools:
1. Setting clear boundaries with designated screen times. Using a timer helps children develop time management skills. Take away all screens and devices when not in use.
2. Schedule quality time so you can connect with your children in a meaningful way.
3. In the age of technology and information help your children learn to critically evaluate the messages they receive through the media. A child's ability to distinguish between reality and fantasy can be developed through proper parental guidance.
4. Go outside for a walk or a hike. Being in nature will help them connect to something deeper than a Facebook account.
5. Read a book and teach them to journal. Writing can be a tool to help children metabolize intense feelings they don't understand.
6. Avoid violent video games and television that reward antisocial aggression. Children are even more susceptible when they are active participants in violent games.
7. Be a good role model by paying attention to how much time you spend watching television, checking your phone or surfing the Internet. Our kids learn by watching us, so model healthy limits in your own life.
