Concerns About Electronic Screens And Children (a rant)

Serial Stress Killer

Phones, iPads and laptops all have an addictive quality. We are all spending more and more time in front of screens with children spending even more time. People are becoming increasingly addicted to screen usage which triggered the BBC to publish an article about a recent study that states that parents shouldn’t be as worried about the screen time usage of their kids as previously thought.

In this episode, Chris takes apart the survey to give his thoughts on firstly why others sources are better, and secondly why all adults should be better role models in limiting their screen time.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

Mobile screen time is very addictive, especially with children. Children who can’t even speak yet can be addicted to electronic devices.

Addiction to screen time affects us all. But we as adults have to act as role models. You can’t spend hours on a tablet and then tell your kids that they should stop.

The study on the BBC report is fundamentally flawed. It was a study of 389 reports, and they only cited 181 as potential, which is less than half, then only 13 made the final cut in the study. To publish a survey you need to show at least 2,000 respondents to make it statistically valid. There’s was much less.

This study stated that there is no good evidence that time in front of a screen is toxic. However, they found that there was an association between obesity and depression. Both of which are toxic things.

In a different survey done on a larger scale over a longer period of time, a different result was found. They asked teenagers how happy they are and where they spend their leisure time. The study found that there has been a huge decline with teenagers, dating, sleeping and hanging out with friends since 2007. Since the birth of the first iPhone.

Screen time is a danger. We should be limiting mobile phone usage like sugar. We wouldn’t want our kids to eat Mars bars all day. In an ideal world, what would you want your kid's leisure time to look like?

BEST MOMENTS

‘Children are addicted to screen time.’

‘These devices are flashy and really attractive to kids.’

‘Do as you say.’

‘They aren’t the root of all the world's problems but they certainly aren’t the core.’

‘You need at least 2,000 respondents to make a survey statistically relevant.’

‘Since 2007 a huge decline in friends hanging out.’

‘Teenagers who spend more time on screen activities are more likely to be less happy.’

‘We should treat mobile phone usage like sugar.’

‘The media should be more responsible.’

VALUABLE RESOURCES

The Atlantic Article - https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2017/09/has-the-smartphone-destroyed-a-generation/534198/

The BBC Article Worry less about children's screen use, parents told - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-46749232

Have Smartphones Destroyed a Generation?

https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2017/09/has-the-smartphone-destroyed-a-generation/534198/

ABOUT THE HOST

After many years of dealing (badly) with personal stress for over 20 years, Chris Hackett is on a mission to help people understand and overcome stress and anxiety by tackling the problem head-on.

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