You are concerned about your children’s use of technology as parents. While having concerns is understandable, you do not want them to influence your parenting. A new study discovered that while screen time can be an early indicator of ADHD, it is not the cause of the disorder. A study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association followed over 2,600 young people over the last two years. Youth who used several forms of digital media multiple times a day were twice as likely as their peers who did not use screens to experience new ADHD symptoms during that time.
These findings support the theory that screen time may be a warning sign of ADHD, which can manifest in preschool-aged children. Other studies have found that using a computer can exacerbate pre-existing ADHD symptoms or increase a child’s susceptibility.
Electronic devices rapidly provide these rewards by continuously delivering small amounts of dopamine to their brain’s reward regions.
Unrestricted access to information can cause agitation, difficulty concentrating, and difficulty completing tasks. There is nothing quite like a screen for children with ADHD. Their attention spans are frequently short, and they prefer exciting, fast-paced stimuli. Electronic devices rapidly provide these rewards by continuously delivering small amounts of dopamine to their brain’s reward regions. These rewards are much more accessible to children with ADHD than those obtained through real-world activities such as exercise or social interaction.
This explains why kids with ADHD are so drawn to video games and social media. With a constantly changing menu of pictures, sound, and action, these apps and websites offer limitless entertainment that quickly captures their attention. These apps also allow users to be more independent for longer periods and experience a dopamine surge when they complete a task.
A child’s ADHD symptoms and reduce their likelihood of participating in extracurricular activities.
Excessive screen time may worsen a child’s ADHD symptoms and reduce their likelihood of participating in extracurricular activities. Furthermore, it can lead to children developing a behavioral dependence on their technology, causing them to freak out when something breaks or they forget to bring it with them.
In contrast to what some media sources may claim, screen time does not cause ADHD. Most studies suggest that childhood development and heredity are the primary causes of the illness. However, this does not mean that children with ADHD cannot become technologically dependent or that excessive screen time will exacerbate the disease.
Maintaining a balance between your children’s activities and screen time is critical for their success. Limiting the adverse effects of screen time can be accomplished by encouraging children to seek alternative ways to spend their free time and incorporating physical activity into their daily routines.
