Listen to this10 Reasons Why Handheld Devices Should Be Banned for Children Under the Age of 12
The American Academy of Pediatrics and the Canadian Society of Pediatrics state infants aged 0-2 years should not have any exposure to technology, 3-5 years be restricted to one hour per day, and 6-18 years restricted to 2 hours per day (AAP 2001/13, CPS 2010). Children and youth use 4-5 times the recommended amount of technology, with serious and often life threatening consequences (Kaiser Foundation 2010, Active Healthy Kids Canada 2012). Handheld devices (cell phones, tablets, electronic games) have dramatically increased the accessibility and usage of technology, especially by very young children (Common Sense Media, 2013). As a pediatric occupational therapist, I'm calling on parents, teachers and governments to ban the use of all handheld devices for children under the age of 12 years. Following are 10 research-based reasons for this ban. Please visit zonein.ca to view the Zone'in Fact Sheet for referenced research.
1. Rapid brain growth
Between 0 and 2 years, infant's brains triple in size, and continue in a
state of rapid development to 21 years of age (Christakis 2011). Early brain
development is determined by environmental stimuli, or lack thereof.
Stimulation to a developing brain caused by overexposure to technologies
(cell phones, internet, iPads, TV), has been shown to be associated with
executive functioning and attention deficit, cognitive delays, impaired
learning, increased impulsivity and decreased ability to self-regulate, e.g.
tantrums (Small 2008, Pagini 2010).
2. Delayed Development
Technology use restricts movement, which can result in delayed development.
One in three children now enter school developmentally delayed, negatively
impacting literacy and academic achievement (HELP EDI Maps 2013). Movement
enhances attention and learning ability (Ratey 2008). Use of technology
under the age of 12 years is detrimental to child development and learning
(Rowan 2010).
3. Epidemic Obesity
TV and video game use correlates with increased obesity (Tremblay 2005).
Children who are allowed a device in their bedrooms have 30% increased
incidence of obesity (Feng 2011). One in four Canadian, and one in three
U.S. children are obese (Tremblay 2011). 30% of children with obesity will
develop diabetes, and obese individuals are at higher risk for early stroke
and heart attack, gravely shortening life expectancy (Center for Disease
Control and Prevention 2010). Largely due to obesity, 21st century children
may be the first generation many of whom will not outlive their parents
(Professor Andrew Prentice, BBC News 2002).
4. Sleep Deprivation
60% of parents do not supervise their child's technology usage, and 75% of
children are allowed technology in their bedrooms (Kaiser Foundation 2010).
75% of children aged 9 and 10 years are sleep deprived to the extent that
their grades are detrimentally impacted (Boston College 2012).
5. Mental Illness
Technology overuse is implicated as a causal factor in rising rates of child
depression, anxiety, attachment disorder, attention deficit, autism, bipolar
disorder, psychosis and problematic child behavior (Bristol University 2010,
Mentzoni 2011, Shin 2011, Liberatore 2011, Robinson 2008). One in six
Canadian children have a diagnosed mental illness, many of whom are on
dangerous psychotropic medication (Waddell 2007).
6. Aggression
Violent media content can cause child aggression (Anderson, 2007). Young
children are increasingly exposed to rising incidence of physical and sexual
violence in today's media. "Grand Theft Auto V" portrays explicit sex,
murder, rape, torture and mutilation, as do many movies and TV shows. The
U.S. has categorized media violence as a Public Health Risk due to causal
impact on child aggression (Huesmann 2007). Media reports increased use of
restraints and seclusion rooms with children who exhibit uncontrolled
aggression.
7. Digital dementia
High speed media content can contribute to attention deficit, as well as
decreased concentration and memory, due to the brain pruning neuronal tracks
to the frontal cortex (Christakis 2004, Small 2008). Children who can't pay
attention can't learn.
8. Addictions
As parents attach more and more to technology, they are detaching from their
children. In the absence of parental attachment, detached children can
attach to devices, which can result in addiction (Rowan 2010). One in 11
children aged 8-18 years are addicted to technology (Gentile 2009).
9. Radiation emission
In May of 2011, the World Health Organization classified cell phones (and
other wireless devices) as a category 2B risk (possible carcinogen) due to
radiation emission (WHO 2011). James McNamee with Health Canada in October
of 2011 issued a cautionary warning stating "Children are more sensitive to
a variety of agents than adults as their brains and immune systems are still
developing, so you can't say the risk would be equal for a small adult as
for a child." (Globe and Mail 2011). In December, 2013 Dr. Anthony Miller
from the University of Toronto's School of Public Health recommend that
based on new research, radio frequency exposure should be reclassified as a
2A (probable carcinogen), not a 2B (possible carcinogen). American Academy
of Pediatrics requested review of EMF radiation emissions from technology
devices, citing three reasons regarding impact on children (AAP 2013).
10. Unsustainable
The ways in which children are raised and educated with technology are no
longer sustainable (Rowan 2010). Children are our future, but there is no
future for children who overuse technology. A team-based approach is
necessary and urgent in order to reduce the use of technology by children.
Please reference below slide shows on www.zonein.ca under "videos" to share
with others who are concerned about technology overuse by children.
Problems – Suffer the Children – 4 minutes
Solutions – Balanced Technology Management – 7 minutes
The following Technology Use Guidelines for children and youth were developed by Cris Rowan, pediatric occupational therapist and author of Virtual Child; Dr. Andrew Doan, neuroscientist and author of Hooked on Games; and Dr. Hilarie Cash, Director of reSTART Internet Addiction Recovery Program and author of Video Games and Your Kids, with contribution from the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Canadian Pediatric Society in an effort to ensure sustainable futures for all children.
Cris Rowan
20 March 2014
