Smartphones in Schools.

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.

Photo of a baby alpaca with the caption: Smartphones in Schools. "I'm not going to have a smartphone - and I'm not going to school, either."

Smartphones in Schools. “I’m not going to have a smartphone – and I’m not going to school, either.”

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How Smartphones Affect the Brain.

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

The Effects of Watching Violence.

Jj is for Jottings 152.  The Effects of Watching Violence.

Did you know that the effects of watching violence are different from the effects of simply reading about violence?  Researchers consistently find that, the more often you watch disturbing scenes, the more anxious you become.  This can result in forming long-term traumatic memories.  Your brain is unable to distinguish between reality and fiction when viewing violence on screen.  Continue reading

Digital Distraction.

Jj is for Jottings 115.  Digital Distraction.

 

WHAT IS 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.

Photo of an alpaca with his nose in the air, saying: "There is no digital distraction in this paddock, thank you very much."

“There is no digital distraction in this paddock, thank you very much.”

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Print Books are Better than Digital Books for Toddlers.

Jj is for Jottings 99. Print Books are Better than Digital Books for Toddlers.

The question of whether print books are better than digital books for toddlers is a concern for many parents who are looking to do the best by their children.  Here are two pieces of evidence, one anecdotal and one from research, which will answer this question. Continue reading

Managing Children’s Screen Time.

Jj is for Jottings 92.  Managing Children’s Screen Time.

Picture of 3 children and a foal reading a book. Caption: The easiest way to manage children's screen time is to avoid screens altogether as much as possible, by providing alternative activities. Rory, the foal, is looking over Amy's shoulder, trying to read "Aa is for Alpacas" with Amy, Zack and Zara.

The easiest way to manage children’s screen time is to avoid screens altogether as much as possible, by providing alternative activities. Rory, the foal, is looking over Amy’s shoulder, trying to read “Aa is for Alpacas” with Amy, Zack and Zara.

This article on managing children’s screen time follows on from the effects of screen time on children and parents’ screen time.

SUGGESTIONS FOR MANAGING CHILDREN’S SCREEN TIME.

  1. Limit Parents’ Screen Time.

This has already been covered in the previous article.

  1. Discuss Why Limits Are Needed and Set Them Together.

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Parents’ Screen Time.

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.

Picture of a man holding out his hand to a baby alpaca, with the caption: No parents' screen time here. This "parent" has his full attention on the "child", complete with eye contact. Good parenting skills, David.

No parents’ screen time here. This “parent” has his full attention on the “child”, complete with eye contact. Good parenting skills, David.

RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN PARENTS’ SCREEN TIME AND CHILDREN’S SCREEN TIME.

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

The Effects of Screen Time on Children.

Jj is for Jottings 90.  The Effects of Screen Time on Children.

Picture of 4 children on a haystack with caption: Avoiding the effects of screen time on children - Zara, Amy, Seth and Zack reading "Aa is for Alpacas" AND outside.

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