Mention mobile devices and you’re more than likely going to get adults reaching into

their pockets or purses to show you the latest smartphone that helps them to organize

their busy lives, stay in touch with family and friends and stay entertained in almost

every location they find themselves in. These modern innovations have become an

indispensable part of today’s hyperconnected lifestyle and something the average person

would no more do without than their house keys or wallet.

However, there’s an emerging darker side to these devices. A body of research points

to the negative effects overexposure to these handheld devices (including smartphones,

tablets, electronic games and even television) can have on the development of your

children.

Taking Notice

Child care authorities are taking notice of the warnings that include findings that

state in the years between 0 and 2 when a baby’s brain triples in size, overexposure to

technology can actually cause a variety of issues including attention deficit disorders and

a decreased ability to self regulate. Dire predictions and consequences over the lack of

physical development associated with the overuse of mobile devices were documented by

occupational therapist and child development experts like Chris Rowan in 2010.

Because physical activity enhances both learning ability and the attention span, some

experts including Rowan suggest the use of technology for any child under the age of

twelve years can be detrimental. Of course, there are more obvious red flags to the health

and well being of children overexposed to these devices and the rate of obesity has been

tied to them. In fact, a study from Texas Tech University and lead author, Du Feng,

Ph.D., states that children with a television in their bedrooms also have a 30% higher

chance of becoming obese.

Suggested Template

Starting early in life seems to be the suggested template for parents to follow. Some

guidelines have been developed to assist parents who are looking to negate the ill effects

of overexposure to these handheld devices and the experts onboard with this effort

include one neuroscientist, one pediatric occupational therapist and both the American

Academy of Pediatrics and the Canadian Pediatric Society.

That research is clear that from the ages of 0-2 years, children should not be allowed

access to or be exposed to any video games, handheld devices or even television for

that matter. The numbers stay fairly stagnant with the suggestions being only one to two

hours of non violent television and no access to handheld devices all the way up to the

age of 13, when they should be restricted to 30 minutes per day to ensure their brains and

bodies can develop properly.

Finally, consider the most dire warning of all about the most common of handheld

devices our children have access to. Five years ago, the World Health Organization

classified smartphones as 2B risk which means these and other wireless devices are

possibly carcinogenic when overused.

For more interesting articles like this, visit All My Children Daycare.

Author: Rob Starr