That appears from a scientific investigation in which more than 8,000 children aged 8 to 18 years participated from nine European countries. Psychologist Juul Coumans, affiliated with the Open University, contributed to the study as a researcher.
Large scaled research
“This study was designed on a large scale to gain extensive knowledge about lifestyle and health, and also to monitor developments over time, as participants were followed for a certain period,” Coumans told RTL News.
For this study, children’s exposure to television, computers, smartphones and the Internet was measured using a questionnaire. “Cognitive functioning was measured with both a questionnaire and computer tasks,” says the researcher.
“This study looked at a specific form of impulsivity, namely impulsivity when experiencing negative emotions such as anger,” says Coumans. “For example, when children feel sad, they may tend to exhibit more impulsive behavior.”
Anyone who shows impulsive behavior has few inhibitions. You do what comes to mind, without thinking about the consequences.
Negative emotions
The research shows that impulsiveness increases as children spend more time in front of a screen. “Children who were more exposed to smartphones and simultaneous media use showed a higher level of impulsivity when experiencing negative emotions,” said Coumans. The results were more noticeable in girls than in boys.
Increased impulsivity can influence behavior, but can also be the cause of many other problems. “Unhealthy eating behavior, obesity, sleeping problems, crime, alcohol and drug use,” Coumans summarizes.
Excessive screen use can affect children’s overall health, well-being and development in this way. “Every now and then it’s fine to do something relaxing, as long as it’s done in moderation,” says Coumans.
Look at your own behavior
That is easier said than done for many parents. In many families, limiting screen use among children is a daily struggle. If parents want to fight this battle, it is important that they first look at their own viewing behavior, says parenting expert Marina van der Wal. “Because how can people teach children to use screens if they are not very good at it themselves?” she says.
“All results of research that apply to our children also apply in some way to adults,” says Van der Wal.
According to the parenting expert, it is important to have clear boundaries, and especially to know why you are setting those boundaries.
Invest in your family
“What is very important to me is that parents do not just say: ‘You can use the tablet for as long as you like, this is the rule, just take it,'” says Van der Wal.
According to her, when setting those boundaries, it must be clear what the added value is of time with and without a screen. “Then you can say: ‘here is the limit’, and then you can express that not only rationally, but also from your heart and conviction.”
The parents’ own behavior is the most important. “Invest in your family,” she says. “That’s what children ultimately want. One of the biggest annoyances of children and teenagers is that their parents are so often above a screen.”
2024-01-18 16:21:49
#Children #screens #impulsive
