Using smartphones, tablets, and other electronic gadgets to soothe the emotional outbursts of children aged one to three may impede their emotional maturity, caution psychologists.
They expressed worries that these youngsters could encounter difficulties in managing their feelings and social interactions later on, and may also face challenges with language development.
Naijatraffic learnt that Experts, also pointed out that excessive use of digital devices among young children could potentially accelerate the emergence of underlying psychological issues.
Tantrums, commonly observed in toddlers aged one to three, include crying, screaming, kicking, hitting, and whining, according to KidsHealth. Johns Hopkins Medicine adds that tantrums are a normal part of a child’s development and are typically a means for them to express frustration or displeasure.
A recent study conducted by researchers from Eötvös Loránd University in Hungary, as published in the journal Frontiers in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, found that a growing number of parents resort to using phones or tablets to pacify their children’s anger or irritability.
The researchers highlighted that children who frequently rely on digital devices to manage tantrums may struggle to regulate their emotions, potentially leading to emotional regulation issues in the future.
One of the researchers, Dr Veronika Konok, mentioned, “Tantrums cannot be cured by digital devices. Children have to learn how to manage their negative emotions for themselves. They need the help of their parents during this learning process, not the help of a digital device.”
A recent study has uncovered a concerning link between excessive screen time and mental health in children. The research reveals that children who are addicted to smartphones, iPads, and video games are more likely to experience psychotic episodes later in life.
The study’s authors were careful to note that the devices themselves are not the root cause of the issue, but rather the addiction to them may be a sign of a deeper vulnerability to mental health problems.
Furthermore, the United Nations Children’s Fund has found that children who spend excessive amounts of time on smartphones and tablets often struggle to develop their writing skills.
According to UNICEF, prolonged screen time exposes children to a multitude of signals and stimuli, which can lead to overstimulation of their sensory system, resulting in irritation, aggression, and hysterics.
The organization also warns that excessive screen exposure can cause children to rely less on themselves and others for entertainment, leading to frustration.
Meanwhile, a specialist in child development, Mrs. Mabel Okereafor, has expressed concern over the growing trend of “digital babysitting,” where parents and caregivers use gadgets as a means to occupy their children, allowing them to focus on other tasks.
This practice, she notes, can have negative consequences on children’s emotional and social development.
She cautioned that this practice may lead to gadget addiction, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and even language impairments in young children.
Okereafor explained, “When we give children devices to pacify them, we are not allowing them to learn skills to regulate themselves better. This can also lead to digital addiction, as children under five lack the impulse control to limit their screen time.
“Research suggests that excessive exposure to digital devices can lead to addiction in both children and adults. Young children are particularly vulnerable as their brains are still developing impulse control, a skill that typically matures in adolescence and early adulthood.
“So when you repeatedly hand a digital device to a child, beyond the risk of addiction, it can also contribute to the development of attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder symptoms.
“The fast-paced nature of digital media may overstimulate young brains, making it difficult for them to focus and regulate their attention.”
Mrs. Okereafor emphasized that children under five are particularly vulnerable to the effects of excessive screen time, as their brains are still developing and constant exposure to digital devices can shape the formation of neural pathways, potentially impacting cognitive and emotional development.
While excessive screen time may not directly cause conditions like ADHD or autism, it can worsen existing vulnerabilities or hide underlying symptoms.
She also warned that excessive screen time can hinder language development in young children and recommended limiting daily screen time to two hours.
Developmental child psychologist added, “We’ve become a society of digital zombies, heads buried in devices, oblivious to our surroundings. This lack of social interaction is not a distant threat; it’s already here. Children are growing up without the basic skills of communication, and adults are increasingly isolated.”
Mrs. Okereafor cautions that the excessive use of digital devices among children may lead to a generation that struggles with social interaction and prefers isolation.
She warns that individuals with a predisposition to mental health issues are more likely to experience worsened symptoms and increased risk of psychological problems when overexposed to digital devices.
The child behavior expert emphasizes that excessive digital device use in young children can trigger the early onset of underlying psychological issues and lead to neglect of personal health and a sedentary lifestyle, resulting in poor physical and mental well-being.
While digital devices themselves do not cause mental health issues, excessive use can exacerbate underlying conditions due to overstimulation.
In extreme cases, children may struggle to distinguish between virtual and real life, leading to harmful behaviors.
Okereafor urges parents and caregivers to engage with their children, understand their emotions, and help them navigate their feelings, emphasizing the importance of listening to children and validating their emotions.
She advises parents to engage in conversations with their children, understand their perspectives, and help them develop healthy emotional expression, warning that tantrums often arise from a child’s inability to express their feelings adequately.
“As parents, it’s our responsibility to guide and teach children how to better express themselves, understand their emotions, and manage internal conflicts,” Okereafor noted.
Mrs. Okereafor stressed the significance of actively listening to children and acknowledging their emotions, warning against dismissing their feelings.
She explained that children develop emotional regulation skills when they feel secure in the knowledge that caring adults are present to listen and respond to their needs.
The child behavior analyst advised parents to create a safe, structured environment with consistent routines to reduce confusion and emotional outbursts in children.
She also emphasized the importance of setting clear rules and expectations for behavior and conflict resolution, providing a stable foundation for children to develop emotional regulation skills.
The child psychologist said, “We must teach our children to accept ‘no’ and to wait patiently. These are essential skills for emotional regulation that children need to learn.”
She explained that consistent routines, preparation for transitions and open communication are key preventive strategies for managing challenging behaviours.
“Parents need to be present and available for their children, reinforcing expectations and offering support. By implementing these strategies, we can create a more stable environment for children and reduce the reliance on digital devices as a coping mechanism,” she stated.
Clinical Psychologist Alex Agara of Intersect Consortium concurs that relying on gadgets to pacify children’s tantrums can have detrimental effects on their development, potentially leading to laziness and an inability to make independent decisions.
He also highlights the risks of excessive gadget use in children, including sleep and eating disorders, weight gain, and heart diseases.
Agara expresses concern about the escalating trend of gadget, internet, and social media addiction, warning of its far-reaching negative consequences.
While he acknowledges that substance abuse can contribute to psychosis, he notes that gadget use may not have a direct impact on the development of psychosis.
The clinical psychologist Urges, “Parents should use other means of calming children’s tantrums other than electronic gadgets and devices.”
