Children love anything with screens: TV’s, video games, computers, etc. It is amazing how a hyperactive child calms down when you place him or her in front of a TV or computer. These type of devices capture and keep our attention. While they hold our attention for hours, they irony is some people lose their ability to stay focus once they are back in the real world. Technology has some effect on the attention span, but does too much technology cause ADHD? This is a question I continuously look for answers too. While researching this topic, I found some who say yes but many others who say no way.
Although ADHD is rising, there has been no clear way to link it to ADHD. Some interesting facts I found were that children between the ages of 8-18 spend almost 7 hours a day consuming some form of media (TV, internet, video games, computer, DVD’s). Almost 10% of these kids are diagnosed with ADHD. Another research stated that children under the age of 5 who watched 2 hours or more daily are 20% more likely to have attention problems. Overstimulation from fast-paced cartoons and TV shows may affect brain activity at an early age
Some researchers dismiss technology being linked to ADHD by stating that genetics plays the ultimate role. Kids with parents and siblings are more likely to have the disorder. Environmental toxins may also play a role. There are so many factors popping up that seem to be linked to ADHD. The toxins in the air, processed foods, sugars, lead exposure, and prenatal exposure to cigarette smoke and alcohol all are considered contributing factors. WOW! That’s like everything around us. That makes me wonder, does everyone have ADHD? I think we all have symptoms of ADHD. Concentration and focus skills are things we have to work at, it takes practice. Just because we are off task or lose focus every once in a while does not mean we have ADHD, it just means we are human. People can’t always blame technology on a child’s lack of focus, it usually is something else. But the question I still ponder about is how much technology is too much technology? I would love to read your views on this subject. What do you think?
While doing my research I found an interesting website: Social Discomfort. There are many blogs and articles relating to this topic on this site. Two interesting things I read were: Electronics and Our Ability to Focus http://social-discomfort.com/2010/electronics-ability-focus and Addicted to Gadgets http://social-discomfort.com/2010/addicted-gadgets
Wow Leah...this was a very interesting post! I too have wondered the same points you made. I really think that it is a combination of all of the things you brought out. I think children are on the TV, computer, etc. way too much. It seems that kids today have no imagination and they do not know how to entertain themselves. There must be a constant stimulation!
ReplyDeleteLeah,
ReplyDeleteI agree with you I believe that too much TV, computer, or electric game time is hurting kids. It takes kids away from having fun the old fashion way, by getting outside and getting exercise. I know that years ago there was no such thing as ADHD or it had not been discovered yet. But in today's time, if a student acts up or is a little hyper, everyone will label him or her as having ADHD and they are not doctors.
When I was little, U played outside, rode my bike or played ball with my friends. If it was raining, we read books or played board games, there were no electronic games. We made games up and really had a lot of fun. I really enjoy technology, but I do believe that too much too quick can hurt a child's brain rather than to stimulate it.
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ReplyDelete