LECTURERS FROM VFU "CHERNORIZETS HRABER" COMMENTED WITH TEACHERS AND PARENTS ON THE PROBLEMS OF SCREEN ADDICTION IN CHILDREN
14 February 2024
A meeting-discussion with teachers and parents on the topic of 'Screen Addiction and Its Consequences in Children and Adolescents" was held at "Tsar Simeon I" Primary School. The lecturers were Assoc. Prof. Dr. Vanya Hristova, lecturer at the Department of Psychology at VFU "Chernorizets Hrabar" and Virginia Vasileva – psychologist, trainer at Karin dom. The event is related to the realization of a concept for the successful interaction between the school community and parents.Nowadays, technology is an indispensable part of our existence, which is unthinkable without its use. In addition to advantages, however, the use of technology in children has a number of negative consequences for their development.
According to Assoc. Prof. Dr. Vanya Hristova, excessive use of screen devices can lead to:
- regression or delay in the child's development,
- disturbance in the course of cognitive processes, problems with attention, concentration and memory;
- behavioral and emotional problems;
- inability to recognize and distinguish the reality from the virtual world;
- deterioration of sleep-wake rhythm and sleep quality;
- language and communication disorders;
- visual disturbances;
- sedentary lifestyle and reduced physical activity;
- a number of studies conducted in recent years have shown that devices, such as computers, tablets, phones and televisions, have an effect on children's brains comparable to the effect of taking narcotic substances. When receiving the visual information from the screen of any of the mentioned devices, dopamine is released in the brain, in the same way that it happens when taking synthetic substances. In adolescents and adults, addiction to games is diagnosed as a gaming disorder, in the presence of which it is necessary to resort to specialized help to overcome it.
- Children under 3 should not have access to screen devices. Communication and games between adults and the child during this stage are very important for its proper development;
- For children between 3 and 6, it is recommended that screen time be up to 30 minutes a day, time that should be shared with parents in interactive activities;
- Children from 6 to 9 - the allowed screen time is 1 hour, and once again, sharing and discussing digital content is important.
- The screen time for children at the age of 9 to 12 is up to about 90 minutes, and here the role of the parents is to introduce the child to the functions and importance of the Internet in our lives - the benefits and risks of surfing the net.
- For children at 12 and over, it is good to agree the range of permitted screen time with the child, so that self-discipline and self-control can also develop in them.
- The child alone cannot control the allowed screen time range;
- Quickly gets bored with other activities and shows no interest in them;
- The child resorts to manipulations and lies in order to use the screen device for as long as possible;
- Family conflicts may arise due to the use of the screen device by the child.