Scientist advocates for stringent regulations on children's use of smartphones
In a series of warnings, psychiatrist and neuroscientist Manfred Spitzer has highlighted the potential risks of excessive smartphone and tablet use among children, coining the term "digital dementia" to describe the long-term negative consequences.
Digital dementia, as Spitzer defines it, is a condition that arises from heavy reliance on digital devices, leading to symptoms resembling dementia, such as memory impairments, attention deficits, and cognitive decline. According to Spitzer and related research, these symptoms can significantly impact a child's learning ability, attention, cognitive functions, emotional development, and social interactions.
Excessive screen time can degrade brain functions, particularly memory and concentration, in a manner similar to brain aging or deterioration. This cognitive decline may impair children's ability to learn, promoting laziness and dependence on technology for information rather than developing independent critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
Prolonged smartphone use is linked to shorter attention spans and difficulty focusing on tasks, which can affect academic performance and mental health. The emotional and social impact of heavy digital device use can interfere with the development of emotional intelligence and meaningful social interactions, essential for healthy psychological growth.
Spitzer also warns that excessive smartphone use can lead to physical health risks, including obesity. Obese children are more likely to become obese adults, increasing the risk of heart attacks. He attributes this to the sedentary nature of smartphone use, which results in less physical activity.
Spitzer further criticizes the increasing digitization of schools, arguing that it may leave especially weak students further behind. He advocates for stricter youth protection laws for digital media and advises parents to consciously decide against the use of tablets and smartphones with their children.
In a comparison reminiscent of the risks associated with alcohol consumption, Spitzer warns that unregulated smartphone use in children poses similar dangers. His concerns are rooted in the potential health risks and negative impacts on education that excessive smartphone use may have on the younger generation.
- The term "digital dementia," coined by Manfred Spitzer, refers to a condition resulting from excessive reliance on digital devices, which shares symptoms with dementia, such as memory impairments, attention deficits, and cognitive decline.
- According to Spitzer, these symptoms can negatively impact a child's learning ability, cognitive functions, emotional development, and social interactions, thereby promoting laziness and dependence on technology for information.
- Prolonged smartphone use is also linked to shorter attention spans and difficulty focusing, which can affect academic performance, mental health, and the development of emotional intelligence and meaningful social interactions.
- Spitzer further warns that excessive smartphone use can lead to physical health risks, including obesity, which can increase the risk of heart attacks and is often attributed to the sedentary nature of the behavior.
