5 ms·

Too much screen time linked to ADHD, aggression, anxiety in children

20 points by actfrench 4y ago

dostojevski1 4y ago
The ability to set screentime for apps on your kids phones might be one of the best features google has ever build
EddieDante 4y ago
I don't buy the premise that "excessive" screen time leads to ADHD, aggression, or anxiety in children. I think that kids dealing with anxiety, ADHD, etc. are using screens to self-medicate because the adults in their life can't or won't get them the help they need.
- ObscureScience 4y ago
  The problem I have with this idea is that while that demographic may fit that pattern, this should only constitute the expected portion of the population that "naturally" exhibit these issues. The article likely ties into the hypothesis that the occurence of the symptoms are increasing in the population. I don't know if this is true, but anecdotally as a parent I'm seeing these behaviors as more or less the norm in 4-13 year olds that I interact with, and those who don't fit this are the ones you are surprised by.
- saaaaaam 4y ago
  Absolutely. Children who are “difficult” - and “difficult” normally means “struggling with something they cannot process” - are plonked in front of screens. A lot of parents don’t care to examine why they are “difficult” or why they are struggling, or don’t have the personal resources - intellectual, social, or financial - to work out what’s wrong. So the kids struggle more, and they spend more time in front of screens. For kids with ADHD there’s quite possibly a strong dopamine cycle from using devices. As someone who suffers severely with ADHD I’ve definitely been able to see that I was prone to this before I got a bit more in control of my impulse cycles.
- n8henrie 4y ago
  While I agree that it may or may not be true, I'm curious as to what makes it hard for you to "buy it." I had always thought that anything attention-grabbing was likely involving some dopamingeric systems. It wouldn't surprise me if anything that grabs attention over a sustained amount of time could potentially lead to homeostasis-seeking mechanisms in the involved cognitive systems. I doubt that humans / mammals evolved in a context with something often grabbed and held focused attention for hours at a time in the same way that is now routine for us to experience with phones, TV, video games, etc. Conversely, I've wondered if some of the e benefits that some people report with medication are related to giving those systems a bit of a break. It could end up being entirely false, but I always thought it had at least seemed plausible.
interactivecode 4y ago
From the article: > The increasing rate of screen time in early childhood has engendered concern among clinicians, policy makers and parents regarding its possible effects on children’s mental health,” the authors write. “This study found small but significant correlations between screen time and children’s internalizing and externalizing behaviour problems. Sounds like the parents are looking for validation of their pre-existing notions. Did anyone investigate that increased screen time could be the easiest accessible outlet kids have to cope with difficult situations?
- mobiuscog 4y ago
  Exactly. Maybe - just maybe - children with ADHD, aggression and/or anxiety find a world they understand or can escape into with whatever they are watching - something that makes more sense or helps them deal with the world. Correlation vs causation.
  - hirvi74 4y ago
    I am just one bit of anecdotal evidence, but this was the case for me as child. However, it is still the case for me as an adult too... Video games and information about whatever is piquing my interest at the time have always been my addictions[1]. Video games have always been my escape, while subjects I am interested in just typically trigger hyperfocus. Other than the "escape" video games provide, there is also a strong correlation between desired outcomes and effort. Much unlike real life where hard work is rarely rewarded and typically taken advantage of. I have always felt like I have had to put a lot of effort into things just to function "normally," and I do not have the make-up to excel in anything. I know I have, and probably still do, waste a lot of time with video games and media (I should be working right now), but in some dark way it's one of the few areas in life where I feel like I can actually be halfway decent at something. I've been a professional software engineer for almost 6 years, and I still feel like most junior devs and fresh grads could spin circles around me. I try to improve, I put in hardwork, but I have nothing to show for it. I treat my condition(s), but at the end of the day I feel like I am just living the story of "Flowers for Algernon." [1] I do not mean addictions as defined by medical terminology, but in a more commonly used manner.

20 points by actfrench 4y ago

The ability to set screentime for apps on your kids phones might be one of the best features google has ever build

I don't buy the premise that "excessive" screen time leads to ADHD, aggression, or anxiety in children. I think that kids dealing with anxiety, ADHD, etc. are using screens to self-medicate because the adults in their life can't or won't get them the help they need.

ObscureScience 4y ago
The problem I have with this idea is that while that demographic may fit that pattern, this should only constitute the expected portion of the population that "naturally" exhibit these issues. The article likely ties into the hypothesis that the occurence of the symptoms are increasing in the population. I don't know if this is true, but anecdotally as a parent I'm seeing these behaviors as more or less the norm in 4-13 year olds that I interact with, and those who don't fit this are the ones you are surprised by.
saaaaaam 4y ago
Absolutely. Children who are “difficult” - and “difficult” normally means “struggling with something they cannot process” - are plonked in front of screens. A lot of parents don’t care to examine why they are “difficult” or why they are struggling, or don’t have the personal resources - intellectual, social, or financial - to work out what’s wrong. So the kids struggle more, and they spend more time in front of screens. For kids with ADHD there’s quite possibly a strong dopamine cycle from using devices. As someone who suffers severely with ADHD I’ve definitely been able to see that I was prone to this before I got a bit more in control of my impulse cycles.
n8henrie 4y ago
While I agree that it may or may not be true, I'm curious as to what makes it hard for you to "buy it." I had always thought that anything attention-grabbing was likely involving some dopamingeric systems. It wouldn't surprise me if anything that grabs attention over a sustained amount of time could potentially lead to homeostasis-seeking mechanisms in the involved cognitive systems. I doubt that humans / mammals evolved in a context with something often grabbed and held focused attention for hours at a time in the same way that is now routine for us to experience with phones, TV, video games, etc. Conversely, I've wondered if some of the e benefits that some people report with medication are related to giving those systems a bit of a break. It could end up being entirely false, but I always thought it had at least seemed plausible.

interactivecode 4y ago

From the article: > The increasing rate of screen time in early childhood has engendered concern among clinicians, policy makers and parents regarding its possible effects on children’s mental health,” the authors write. “This study found small but significant correlations between screen time and children’s internalizing and externalizing behaviour problems. Sounds like the parents are looking for validation of their pre-existing notions. Did anyone investigate that increased screen time could be the easiest accessible outlet kids have to cope with difficult situations?

mobiuscog 4y ago
Exactly. Maybe - just maybe - children with ADHD, aggression and/or anxiety find a world they understand or can escape into with whatever they are watching - something that makes more sense or helps them deal with the world. Correlation vs causation.
- hirvi74 4y ago
  I am just one bit of anecdotal evidence, but this was the case for me as child. However, it is still the case for me as an adult too... Video games and information about whatever is piquing my interest at the time have always been my addictions[1]. Video games have always been my escape, while subjects I am interested in just typically trigger hyperfocus. Other than the "escape" video games provide, there is also a strong correlation between desired outcomes and effort. Much unlike real life where hard work is rarely rewarded and typically taken advantage of. I have always felt like I have had to put a lot of effort into things just to function "normally," and I do not have the make-up to excel in anything. I know I have, and probably still do, waste a lot of time with video games and media (I should be working right now), but in some dark way it's one of the few areas in life where I feel like I can actually be halfway decent at something. I've been a professional software engineer for almost 6 years, and I still feel like most junior devs and fresh grads could spin circles around me. I try to improve, I put in hardwork, but I have nothing to show for it. I treat my condition(s), but at the end of the day I feel like I am just living the story of "Flowers for Algernon." [1] I do not mean addictions as defined by medical terminology, but in a more commonly used manner.