Cell phone addiction: The use of cell phones and smartphones is now an integral part of daily life for many people, including children. However, excessive use of these devices can lead to true addiction, with significant consequences on physical and mental health. In this article, we will explore the impact of smartphone addiction, the use of phones among children, and how to healthily manage technology in the lives of young children.
Alarm: age of smartphone use getting lower and lower
According to a recent study by Save the Children, the age at which children start using smartphones is getting lower and lower. In Italy, 43 percent of children between 6 and 10 years old use a smartphone every day. This alarming figure suggests that many children are developing a smartphone addiction from an early age, with potential negative effects on their physical and mental development.
The recommendation of theWorld Health Organization (WHO) guidelines, recalled in Italy by the Italian Society of Pediatrics (SIP) advise against the use of digital devices for children under 2 years old. In particular, a recent survey by the Istituto Superiore di Sanità revealed that 22.1 percent of children between 2 and 5 months of age spend time in front of TV, computer, tablet or smartphone screens, mostly less than an hour a day. Exposure increases with age: between 11 and 15 months, 58.1% of children use screens for periods ranging from less than an hour to more than three hours daily. In addition, more than 16% of children in this age group are exposed to screens for at least one hour per day, with 3% using them for three hours or more. Early and prolonged exposure to screens can negatively affect a child’s cognitive, language and emotional development and promote sedentary behaviors and childhood obesity in the long term.
Cell phone addiction in children: The alarm bells.
Smartphone addiction in children can manifest itself in various ways, including:
- Social isolation: Children who spend a lot of time on smartphones tend to isolate themselves from peers and social activities. This isolation can reduce opportunities to develop social skills and participate in physical and recreational activities important to their development.
- Attention problems: Excessive use of smartphones can negatively affect children’s ability to concentrate and pay attention. The constant stimulation offered by smartphones can make it difficult for children to focus on less stimulating but essential activities such as studying and reading.
- Sleep disorders: Another very negative effect of inordinate smartphone use is insomnia, because the addiction has no timetable. Leading children, for example, to use the smartphone during the night and keep it on. As a result, at the slightest sound or vibration, kids wake up to check notifications, fragmenting their sleep and causing daytime fatigue and difficulty waking up in the morning.
- Anxiety and compulsive behaviors. Smartphone-dependent teens tend to keep the device on all the time with notifications turned on, constantly checking them for fear of missing something. This compulsion can also manifest itself in social situations, where attention is continually diverted from checking notifications. Some teens go so far as to refuse to hand over their smartphones at school, or even carry two so they can hand one over and keep the other.
Impact on cognitive and emotional aspects
Prolonged use of smartphones can have a significant impact on children’s cognitive and emotional development. Several studies have shown that time spent in front of screens can negatively affect executive functions, which include planning skills, working memory, and impulse control. These effects are of particular concern during childhood, a crucial stage in brain development.
Scientific data and analysis
According to research by theBambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, smartphone use among children is associated with several health issues. In particular, it was found that 23 percent of children who use smartphones for more than two hours a day exhibit symptoms of anxiety and depression. In addition, prolonged exposure to screens is linked to an increased risk of obesity, as time spent in front of the screen often replaces physical activities.
A study published in
JAMA Pediatrics
found that smartphone use correlated with a reduction in the volume of the prefrontal cortex, a region of the brain associated with impulse control and planning. This finding suggests that excessive smartphone use may have long-term effects on children’s brain development.
Whereas, research from Harvard University has shown that smartphone use can interfere with children’s circadian rhythm, leading to sleep disturbances. Fifty-six percent of children who use smartphones before bedtime reported difficulty falling asleep and lower quality sleep.
Effects on mental health
Smartphone addiction in children can also have serious effects on mental health. A study conducted by the University of San Diego found that adolescents who spend more time on social media and smartphones have a higher risk of developing depressive symptoms. Constant comparison with others and pressure to maintain a perfect image on social media can contribute to feelings of inadequacy and low self-esteem.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has also pointed out that excessive use of smartphones can lead to behavior problems. Children who spend more than two hours a day on screens are more likely to exhibit aggressive behavior and difficulties with impulse control.
Stolen and wasted time
One of the most troubling aspects of excessive smartphone use is that the time children spend on these devices is stolen time that will never come back. Every minute spent in front of a screen is a fragment of childhood that vanishes forever. These moments, so precious and unrepeatable, could be devoted to experiences that leave a lasting impression: outdoor games that strengthen the body and mind, hours of study that open the doors of knowledge, engaging readings that fuel imagination and dreaming.
Time taken away from smartphones could turn into unforgettable memories: running in parks, discovering in the woods, laughing with friends. Instead, what will remain of those afternoons spent on useless video games? A feeling of emptiness, a series of fleeting and meaningless images. Childhood and adolescence are stages of life that we cannot relive; every wasted moment is a missed opportunity to build a wealth of rich and formative experiences.
And the risk is not only of losing time, but also of losing the chance to develop crucial social and relational skills. Real human interactions, eye contact, sincere conversations are fundamental elements of balanced growth. Time stolen from smartphones is time taken away from building emotional bonds, true and deep friendships.
In a world where every moment can make a difference in a child’s growth path, it is essential to realize that time wasted on smartphones is a missed investment in their future.
How to detox children from the smartphone drug
Detoxifying children from smartphone addiction requires a proactive approach by parents and educators. Here are some effective strategies to help children develop a healthy relationship with technology:
- Set daily time limits: It is critical to set daily time limits for smartphone use. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends avoiding screen use for children under 2 years old and limiting it to one hour per day for those between 2 and 5 years old. For older children, limits should be adjusted according to individual needs, but it is still advisable not to exceed two hours per day.
- Monitor content: Controlling the content that children access is essential to ensure that it is age-appropriate. Using parental control settings can help limit access to inappropriate content and monitor children’s online activity.
- Promote alternative activities: Encouraging children to participate in physical activities, outdoor games, and real-life social interactions is key to balancing time spent in front of screens. Activities such as sports, reading, drawing, and board games can contribute to healthy and balanced development. An example of a game that promotes physical activity and fun is Dribblium, a game that encourages children to move and play together.
- Being positive role models: Parents need to set a good example by showing balanced use of smartphones. Avoiding excessive phone use in the presence of children and establishing “disconnect” times throughout the day can help create healthy habits.
- Establish clear rules: Defining times and conditions for smartphone use is key to preventing addiction. Establishing rules such as prohibiting phone use during meals, before bed or during study can help reduce time spent on screens.
- Create technology-free zones: Establishing areas of the home where smartphone use is not allowed, such as the dining room and bedroom, can help limit exposure to screens and promote a healthier home environment.
- Educating children about the responsible use of technology: Teaching children about the responsible use of technology and the risks associated with overuse of smartphones is crucial to helping them develop a healthy relationship with digital devices.
- Active involvement: Participating in children’s online activities and discussing together the content they access can help create an open dialogue and prevent risky behavior.
- Promote active play: Encouraging children to participate in physical activities and creative games that do not involve screens can help reduce smartphone addiction.
- Offer constructive alternatives: Suggesting constructive and engaging alternatives such as hobbies, sports, reading, and art activities can help children discover new passions and develop different skills
- Giving alternatives to unproductive video games
Constructive Video Games: Edugames and Exergaming
In the digital age, video games are often perceived as sedentary and sometimes unproductive activities. However, there is a broad category of games that completely overturns this stereotype, turning time spent in front of the screen into an opportunity for learning and movement. Among these, Edugames and exergaming represent two innovative approaches that combine entertainment with educational purposes and health benefits.
An Edugame is a video game that intentionally integrates educational themes with instructional purposes, using gamification to teach. Gamification applies typical game elements, such as scores, levels, and challenges, in nongame contexts, making learning an engaging and motivating experience. These games cover a wide range of topics, from math and history to science and programming, providing an interactive and enjoyable way to acquire new knowledge.
Edugames are designed to stimulate curiosity and keep players’ attention, turning complex concepts into fun and accessible challenges. Through these games, children can learn without even realizing it, developing useful real-life skills through a medium they find naturally appealing and stimulating.
One of the most popular Edugames is DUOLINGUO, the world’s most widely used language learning app. The company’s mission is to develop the world’s best education and make it universally available through gamification.
Exergaming, or active games, is a term used to describe a genre of video games that pushes the player to move and exercise. Unlike traditional sedentary games, exergaming requires body movement in reality to interact with the game. This game dynamic challenges players to perform physical activities such as jumping, running, dancing, and other forms of exercise to achieve certain goals within the game.
A prime example of exergaming is definitely Dribblium.
Dribblium is an innovative game designed to encourage children to move by combining elements of physical activity and requiring young players to develop motor skills and coordination, thus making it not only fun but also mentally stimulating. In addition, Dribblium is designed to be inclusive, allowing children of different ages and abilities to participate and have fun.
In summary, Dribblium is an excellent alternative to digital activities, offering children the opportunity to have fun, socialize and keep physically active. Offering games such as Dribblium can be an effective strategy to counter smartphone addiction and promote healthier, more balanced development.
Conclusion
Cell phone addiction is a reality that cannot be ignored, especially among children. It is critical that parents and educators take preventive measures to ensure that technology use is safe and healthy. With the right strategies, it is possible to harness the benefits of smartphones without compromising children’s well-being and development. The goal is to promote conscious and responsible use of technology to prepare children to navigate the digital world safely and intelligently.
Detoxifying children from the smartphone “drug” is a process that requires patience, dedication and commitment. However, the long-term benefits of a healthy relationship with technology are invaluable. With the proper support and guidance, children can learn to use smartphones responsibly and make the most of technology’s potential without becoming succubi to it.
Faq
At what age can you use the phone?
It is recommended that people start using cell phones after age 12, but use should be limited and monitored for safety.
Why is it important to limit smartphone use in children?
Limiting the use of smartphones is essential to avoid physical and mental health problems.
What is cell phone addiction?
Cell phone addiction is compulsive and excessive use of the smartphone, interfering with daily life and social relationships.
What is cell phone addiction called?
Cell phone addiction is called “nomophobia”
What are the main negative effects of smartphone addiction in children?
Some of the negative effects include sleep disturbances, attention problems, social isolation, increased anxiety and depression, and an increased risk of obesity.
What alternative activities can help reduce children’s screen time?
Activities such as sports, reading, drawing, board games, outdoor time and real social interactions can help reduce the time spent in front of screens.
How can I monitor my children’s use of smartphones?
Monitoring children’s smartphones requires enabling parental control, limiting time of use, blocking inappropriate content, and monitoring online activity.
