0Medical professionals have warned that excessive usage of smartphones by children and teens might negatively influence their brain development and learning. They highlight that kids who frequently use smartphones could show reduced scholastic performance and lower intelligence quotient compared to occasional users.
The medical experts argue that a child’s brain is not fully grown and excessive exposure to screens, especially smartphones, could disrupt this development. According to them, smartphones keep users continually stimulated and distracted, making learning challenging for children.
The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests that children under 18 should utilize smartphones only for a maximum of two hours per day. It also advises parents to establish rules to regulate smartphone usage. But, excessive smartphone usage could lead to cognitive problems in children, including attention and memory issues.
Dr. Feminiyi Apata, the Chief Physiotherapist at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, expressed that the early life stages are fundamental for a child’s brain development. He warns that overuse of smartphones can hinder this process if it diverts attention from learning and mental exercises, thus making the brain dormant.
On the other hand, Dr. Suleiman Mayaki, a Consultant Pediatrician, advocates for moderation in smartphone usage by children. He asserts that the impacts of excessive smartphone use on the brain are still under research, and more studies are needed for a full understanding. Despite no structural changes to the brain being noted, smartphones overuse can lead to behavioral and psychological issues in the long-term.
A PNAS journal published study discovered that overuse of smartphones was correlated with diminished working memory capacity. The researchers believe this may be because excessive smartphone usage drains attentional resources and disrupts the ability to concentrate on tasks. These findings carry significant implications for children and teens who are yet to fully develop their cognitive skills.
The researchers also revealed that long-term smartphone users showed decreased connectivity in the frontoparietal network of the brain, which plays crucial roles in cognitive functions like working memory, attention, and decision-making. Hence, it’s evident that overuse of smartphones might have long-lasting effects on cognitive functioning.
