{"id":35291,"date":"2021-11-18T14:52:37","date_gmt":"2021-11-18T13:52:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/exerens.com\/corona-virus-and-the-risk-of-technological-addiction-in-children\/"},"modified":"2021-11-18T14:52:39","modified_gmt":"2021-11-18T13:52:39","slug":"corona-virus-and-the-risk-of-technological-addiction-in-children","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/exerens.com\/en\/corona-virus-and-the-risk-of-technological-addiction-in-children\/","title":{"rendered":"Corona virus and the risk of technological addiction in children"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

by Roberto Pino<\/strong><\/em> PhD in Pharmacology and Toxicology University of Florence<\/em><\/p>\n\n

<\/div>\n\n

Technological dependence has greatly increased in the days of distancing, tells us Giuseppe Lavenia psychotherapist, university professor at the University of Ancona, and president of the National Association Di.Te.<\/a> which deals precisely with technological addictions.<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n

<\/div>\n\n

What are the data? Are children’s addictions growing?<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n

I would say yes. In the period of the lockdown, we conducted several researches. For example, we have seen that everything related to cyberbullying has tripled along with requests for help compared to the months before the lockdown.<\/p>\n\n

We have also seen an increase in eating disorders, generalized anxiety<\/a><\/strong> disorders, children who contact us on the toll-free number for situations of panic attacks<\/a><\/strong> , so we must pay attention to the mental health of our children.<\/p>\n\n

<\/div>\n\n

Why has this problem increased so much?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n

Certainly because they are scared, the information is conflicting, it is not clear which path to take, which is the correct information, and we cannot calm them down, says Prof. Lavenia. We are underestimating the trauma<\/strong> they have lived and are experiencing and that we will surely live for a while longer, so we need to focus on this.<\/p>\n\n

A fact that has emerged from the research we have conducted in recent months on 7,000 children between 11 and 19 years, therefore an important sample, is that children cannot imagine a future, not even design it, they lack desire and this means to create a generation of kids who have lost the engine, the pleasure in life.<\/p>\n\n

Not going to school creates problems both for adolescents who feel isolated from their peers but also for younger children who can grow up with the idea that the other can hurt us, can infect us, the perception therefore that ” it’s dangerous outside “. When they grow up, they will probably be kids who will be increasingly afraid of going outside so they will want to stay indoors, but staying at home behind a screen brings other risks such as social isolation<\/strong> .<\/p>\n\n

<\/div>\n\n
\"Remote<\/figure>\n\n
<\/div>\n\n

Which ages are most at risk?<\/strong><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n

Previously, teenagers between 16 and 19 years old contacted us. Now the age has dropped considerably. We have parents who call us for 9 or 10 year olds with anxiety disorders<\/a><\/strong> but also cases of regression, for example, 9-10 year old children with enuresis (bedwetting) and this indicates that we are probably underestimating the trauma our children are undergoing in this period. We parents have to take care of it and take care of it<\/strong> .<\/p>\n\n

<\/div>\n\n

What would you recommend to parents?<\/strong><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n

Always ask our children as well as how their day went, how their day went online<\/strong> . We parents have to get used to the new normal. The new normal wants our children to spend 8 hours a day online (we adults are no different), so a good part of our identity and their identity passes through there. We must therefore take care<\/strong> .<\/p>\n\n

Let’s start asking how are you doing?<\/strong> While the answer is likely to be hasty, they will certainly feel that we are taking care of them, learning about their world. The risk is that being at home, behind the screen, we think that everything is fine and we do not worry about this virtual world, which instead hides many pitfalls but also many beautiful things but we must be aware of the use which therefore pay maximum attention<\/strong> .<\/p>\n\n

<\/div>\n\n

Once it was said, be careful to cross the street, now you have to be told what they live on the net but above all take them out on the street because otherwise they remain too isolated behind a computer.<\/em><\/strong><\/h3>\n\n
<\/div>\n\n

At what age should children be given their first smartphone?<\/strong><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n

The recommended age is 13, let’s say the transition could be between middle school and high school. Unfortunately, this age is increasingly reduced and normally the first mobile phone is given around the age of 10 as a gift for the first communion even if the manufacturers recommend using the first smartphone around 13 years of age.<\/p>\n\n

<\/div>\n\n

When is the time when kids know how to settle for themselves?<\/strong><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n

We know that up to the age of 21 their brain structure is not fully formed, in particular the limbic system, responsible for impulse control, so up to about 21 they are more prone to risks. This does not mean that you have to give your smartphone to 21 but you have to do a correct digital education to protect children but also parents. So you have to give your smartphone but assist them by establishing rules of behavior and times of use.<\/p>\n\n

Let us also remember that passive exposure can also be addictive. It is not uncommon to see 2-year-olds being exposed to smartphones<\/a><\/strong> .<\/p>\n\n

<\/div>\n\n
\"Little<\/figure>\n\n
<\/div>\n\n

The guidelines of the American Association of Pediatrics establish that smartphones should not be used before the age of two and subsequently no more than an hour a day as the passive screen carries<\/strong> risks. One study establishes that children under the age of two exposed to a passive screen for one hour a day have a 10 times higher risk of having an attention disorder<\/a><\/strong> than a child who has not been moved to a passive screen. <\/p>\n\n

We can therefore get our children used to using technology, perhaps by establishing a sort of contract that must be valid for children and parents. So if I give a smartphone I have to inform myself about its use, establishing behavioral rules, for example, at the table you don’t use a mobile phone, or in the morning I don’t turn it on as soon as I get out of bed. But this must also apply to parents who have to lead by example, that is a sort of behavioral model<\/strong> .<\/p>\n\n

<\/div>\n\n

How can a typical day be?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n