Until a decade or so ago, the telephone was just a tool for communication. Today, it has become the personal centre of the world and, unfortunately, is increasingly finding its way into the hands of children who are not ready for it. As child psychologist in Warsaw I observe, how early and uncontrolled smartphone use affects child development. Both the emotional, social and cognitive one.
Many parents come forward with similar concerns: their child's irritability, sleep problems, difficulty concentrating, withdrawal from social contact. Often it is the telephone that proves to be the common denominator.
Why is 'too soon' not just a buzzword?
Another large study conducted on groups of several thousand children shows a clear trend: children who received a smartphone before the age of 12 are more likely to report depressive symptoms, sleep problems and difficulties regulating emotions. The differences are significant enough that they cannot be ignored. We can also see a greater risk of obesity and a decrease in physical activity, due to the fact that the phone is replacing movement, play and spontaneous activity, so natural for this age.
It's does not mean that the smartphone itself automatically triggers the mental crises in children. However, this means that a combination of risk factors is emerging that younger children simply cannot resist.
How does a smartphone affect a child's brain?
The brain of the younger child is in a phase of intensive development. Those areas responsible for concentration, impulse control and mature emotion regulation mature gradually - most slowly at school age. Meanwhile, the smartphone provides stimuli quickly, intensely and continuously. Colours, sounds, animations, notifications... all act as micro-agendas.
The child begins to function on a rhythm of instant gratification. He or she becomes more stimulated, less resistant to frustration, and ordinary activities such as lessons, reading a book or quiet conversation - seem too slow and unattractive. This can be seen very clearly in school practice: children who use a smartphone without restriction have more difficulty maintaining attention, become irritable more quickly and are more likely to experience sensory overload.
Lack of control - an invisible but serious problem
Many parents say: "He is coping very well with his phone" or "Today every child has a smartphone". Meanwhile, it is not 'coping' that is the problem, but the lack of maturity to regulate the screen time and content the child is exposed to on his own.
Lack of control leads to the three most commonly observed consequences:
1. sleep disorders in children
The smartphone stimulates the nervous system and the screen light inhibits melatonin secretion. Children fall asleep late, sleep is often interrupted and they are tired and irritable in the morning.
This is one of the most common symptoms reported by parents in psychology offices.
2. emotional instability
Younger children react intensely and the phone only heightens these emotions. Strong stimuli, rapid changes in imagery and lack of real contact cause the child to become more excitable, have difficulty calming down and enter states of tension more quickly. In extreme cases, over-stimulation can masquerade as depressive or anxiety symptoms.
3. social difficulties
The smartphone often replaces the real relationships. Child is beginning to function mainly in the world of onlinewhere communication is simplistic, fast and does not require empathy. In school life, this translates into withdrawal, an inability to resolve conflicts and greater feeling of loneliness.
Smartphone as 'emotional prosthesis' and child development
Children often use the phone for more than just play. It becomes a way to regulate difficult emotions: anger, boredom, tension. In the short term, it works - it distracts, soothes, gives a dopamine boost. Unfortunately, in the long term undermines children's development of key skillssuch as self-regulation, patience or tolerating frustration. This is why children who start using the phone extensively at an early age have more difficulty coping without it.
What can parents and schools do?
This is not about demonising technology, but about A wise introduction of the child to the digital world. They help in particular:
- Using technology together - this builds trust and gives insight into what the child is living.
- Delay the purchase of a smartphone - preferably after the age of 12.
- Set clear rules - as many for the child and adults.
- Telephone outside the bedroom - every day, no exceptions.
- Talking about emotions - What does your child watch, what stresses them out, what draws them in?
- Using technology together - this builds trust and gives insight into what the child is living.
When is it appropriate to seek help from a child psychologist?
If you notice rapid mood changes, withdrawal, sleep problems, school difficulties or a sense of phone dependency in your child, it is worth consulting a specialist.
At Kids Medic, we often work with children in whom the smartphone has become not so much a device as a way of dealing with emotions. Early intervention really helps to rebalance the child's daily functioning.
Monika Maćkowska
Child psychologist
Photo source: Freepik.com
