The Effects of Screen Time on the Developing Brain

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How Many “Fs” Do You See? FINISHED FILES ARE THE RESULT OF YEARS OF SCIENTIFIC STUDY COMBINED WITH THE EXPERIENCE OF YEARS. End

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What’s the Point?

One’s perception may not always be correct.

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Reality By the age of 7 the average child has spent one full year watching screen entertainment. "Time for a View on Screen Time: Brain and Cognition.“ Feb < _ _7>

Reality "Media and Children." 6 Feb us/advocacy-and-policy/aap-health-initiatives/Pages/Media-and- Children.aspx

Conflict

Negative

The Facts A study of children who watched television at ages 1 and 3 years were found to have had a significantly increased risk of developing attention problems by age 7. With each hour of television watched per day, there was a 9% increase in problems consistent with a diagnosis of ADHD. "Time for a View on Screen Time: Brain and Cognition." Feb

The Facts High levels of early childhood television viewing resulting in reduced time for social interactions may prevent the development of adequate social skills. "Time for a View on Screen Time: Brain and Cognition." Feb

The Facts Both active and passive television exposure lead to sleep disturbances and reduce the amount of time young children focus during play. "Time for a View on Screen Time: Brain and Cognition." Feb

The Facts Dopamine, a key component of the brain's reward system, is released in the brain while children play video games. Because of the link between dopamine and addiction, some are concerned that excessive game playing may lead to changes in the brain that resemble substance dependence. "Time for a View on Screen Time: Brain and Cognition." Feb

The Facts Excessive screen time has been linked to structural brain differences including decreases in white matter and gray matter and reduced cortical thickness. Affected functions include information processing, impulse control, and the development of empathy. Dunckley, VL. "Gray Matters: Too Much Screen Time Damages the Brain..." matters-too-much-screen-time-damages-the-brain

The “Other” Side

The Facts Webcam interactions (like Skype or FaceTime) with family and friends can help young children form bonds and learn new words. "Children learn best during real-time interaction, new study..." 6 Feb time-interaction-new-study-finds

The Facts Young children may benefit from computer use if appropriate software is selected. - Harvard Family Research Study "Families and Digital Media in Young Children's Learning." Feb chSpotlight_Families_and_Digital_Media pdf

The Facts Positive effects of video games: problem solving and logic hand-eye coordination quick thinking and decision making responding to challenges and frustrations math and reading skills self-confidence and self-esteem "Viewpoint: The good, the bad, and maybe not so ugly..." 5 Feb and-maybe-not-so-ugly

The Facts Positive effects of social media: staying connected with friends and family exchanging ideas community engagement creativity (blogs, videos, podcasts) connecting with others from diverse backgrounds fostering individual identity and unique social skills "Viewpoint: The good, the bad, and maybe not so ugly..." 5 Feb maybe-not-so-ugly

Context “It’s not whether or not your child is staring into a screen that will or will not determine if his or her infant brain becomes, instead of a genius brain, tapioca pudding. It’s what’s on that screen that matters.” (Stein) "The Only Infographic You Need to See About 'Screen Time..." 6 Feb infographic-you-need-see-about-screen-time- children

Not All Screens are Equal

Balance

Recommendations “Children should have lots of time for play in the real, 3-D world,” and parents should “make screen use a shared experience.” "Screen Sense - Zero to Three." Feb sense_wp_final3.pdf

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Contact Christy Barham Media & Technology Coordinator Rockingham County