“Mom, dad, please stop hurting me…”

This is a blog by children to their parents, educational leaders and administrators.

Use of electronic screen devices have been increasing over the past 10 years. Here is a summary of the use of such devices in 2017 published in a research monograph by Ofcom, U.K. November 29, 2017 (https://www.ofcom.org.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0020/108182/children-parents-media-use-attitudes-2017.pdf)

Age: 3-4 years old

1% have their own smartphone.

21% have their own tablet.

40% play games for 6 hours per week.

53% go online for 8 hours per week.

96% watch TV for 15 hours per week

Age :5-7 years old

5% have their own smartphone.

35% have their own tablet.

66% play games for 7.5 hours per week.

79% use go online for 9 hours per week.

95% watch TV for 13.5 hours per week

Age: 12-15 years old

83% have their own smartphone.

55% have their own tablet.

77% play games for 12 hours per week.

99% go online for 21 hours per week.

91% watch TV for 14.5 hours per week.

Are these trends disturbing? Yes, if there are any adverse effects to this degree of use of digital screen devices. And there are adverse effects upon every child. Research suggests that this trend is associated with brain structural disorders (such as cortical thinning), ophthalmological disorders (age related macular degeneration), speech disorders (delayed speech), mental illness (depression), behavioural disorders (attention deficit and hyperactivity) and poor nutrition (due to compromised tea-and-toast diet).

Every child’s brain is plastic. Neurons, dendrites and connections form the basis of signal pathways in the brain. It is through these pathways that we can see, smell, touch, taste, hear, move, express ourselves, think, feel and interact with our surroundings. Brain plasticity Is a phenomenon where new dendrites and connections are being formed continuously based on the experiences of a child. Childhood experiences therefore shape personalities and guide their lives as adults (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3222570/ ). Experiences can even alter the child’s genetic expression (epigenetic differences between monozygotic twins have been seen https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4489549/ ). Some of these changes taking place in the child’s brain have been documented through serial functional MRI scans (https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-540-49976-3_9 ).

This blog has three purposes:

1. To scientifically explore the adverse effects of digital screen devices upon children.
2. To survey parents and educational leaders on their experience, knowledge and response to these issues.
3. To find a way to dialog on solutions to minimize the adverse effects upon our children while reaping the benefits of the responsible use of technologies.
4. Empower children to speak out in public and political forums to bring awareness to these threatening issues.

Children are the future face of this world and are a valuable resource for our world. It is true that our world is in their hands in the future. It is also true that our world is in their hands in the present. Their innocent thought, bubbling energy and emotionally touching words can be powerful voices in a world of politics and profits.  We hope that we can find simple actions all of us can collectively take today, that will protect this most valuable resource in our world.  If we can do that, then we can create a better world tomorrow.

Thank you for visiting this blog.