Jj is for Jottings 158. Smartphones in Schools.
A few days ago (July 2023) in Australia, smartphones in schools were banned. Some states had already banned or restricted their use, but the ban is now nationwide. The ban also includes smartwatches. There are quite a few reasons to ban smartphones in schools given below, but there is also the overriding factor of how smartphones affect the brain.
Smartphones in Schools. “I’m not going to have a smartphone – and I’m not going to school, either.”
Jj is for Jottings 154. How Smartphones Affect the Brain.
In this article we will cover some of the latest research on how smartphones affect the brain. We have previously discussed the effects of screen time on children. Amongst other aspects, this included language delay in children exposed to screens at an early age. We have also discussed the effects of digital distraction, which relates to a range of technological devices. Here we will look into the specific effects on the brain of smartphones, rather than screens in general. Continue reading
Jj is for Jottings 137. Auditory Processing Disorders.
Following on from auditory skills and developing auditory processing skills, we now turn our attention to auditory processing disorders. There are so many conflicting ideas in the literature as to exactly what constitutes auditory skills. One could really become bogged down by this and therefore any resulting disorders. There is even disagreement as to whether it should be “auditory processing disorders” or “central auditory processing disorders.” I’ve decided to go with the thinking that “central” implies problems only at the brain level and consequently limits the definition.
Auditory processing disorders – attempting to prevent them is a good policy.
Jj is for Jottings 115. Digital Distraction.
Digital distraction is that constant checking of phones and multi-tasking which we see going on around us all the time (or even engage in ourselves). There is a theory that our ancient food-foraging survival instinct has evolved into info-foraging. It is sort of a hijacking of the same system that was critical for our survival in terms of seeking out food. It has now been directed at seeking out information, and the result is digital distraction.
“There is no digital distraction in this paddock, thank you very much.”
Jj is for Jottings 91. Parents’ Screen Time.
This follows on from the effects of screen time on children. Before we go into the topic of how to limit our children’s screen time, we need to look to parents’ screen time.
No parents’ screen time here. This “parent” has his full attention on the “child”, complete with eye contact. Good parenting skills, David.
Studies from the University of Bristol show that the amount of time a child spends on a screen is closely associated with their parents’ own habits. They found that children were 3.4 times more likely to spend more than 2 hours a day watching television if their parents did the same. This is when compared with children whose parents watched less TV. The statistic carries over into other screen types as well. Continue reading
Jj is for Jottings 90. The Effects of Screen Time on Children.
Avoiding the effects of screen time on children – Zara, Amy, Seth and Zack reading “Aa is for Alpacas” AND outside.
By now, there have been many studies done on the effects of screen time on children. My own observations on this subject are here and here. And here is an article on parental concerns about screen time. So, let’s have a look at some of the recent research. Continue reading
Jj is for Jottings 57. Reading to Dogs.
If you had your reading L plates on, who would you rather read to – a person or a dog? Young readers reading to dogs is an idea which originated in the USA in 1999, and is being adopted in Australia in schools and libraries. Different programs exist, but they are all variations on the theme. Continue reading
Peaceful paddock scene.
Jj is for Jottings 29. More of the Neuroscientist’s Comments.
Continuing the theme from Jottings 28, Baroness Greenfield warns that children who once used their imaginations are now more likely to sit in front of a screen with a menu of choices somebody else has designed. I have heard people say that reading books also stifles imagination, because someone else has imagined the story. This is not the same thing, however. Continue reading
Jj is for Jottings 28. A Neuroscientist’s Comments on Children’s Development.
Baroness Greenfield, a neuroscientist at Oxford University, maintains that technology is re-wiring brains, particularly for young people growing up knowing nothing else. She asserts that a young person who hasn’t yet developed a clear and strong sense of identity and social skills will respond differently Continue reading
Yet more new neighbours. First the triplets were born, and they were followed by twins. They often all play together. They were racing towards me in the second picture, but by the time the camera had actually clicked, they had turned and were off in the opposite direction! Very difficult to get 5 active lambs in the one picture, so I gave up.
Jj is for Jottings 11: Adult Attention Span, Part 2.
In Part 1 we talked about the reduced attention span caused by the devices people use to try and stay connected, and of course all of that applies to people of ages who would have smartphones, not to young children. However it does apply to young children, because they can suffer from lack of attention from the adults around them in all the ways mentioned previously. Continue reading
