Ten Reasons Why Handheld Devices Should Be Banned for Children Under the Age of 12

The American Academy of Pediatrics and the Canadian Society of Pediatrics state infants aged 0-2 years should not have any exposure to technology, 3-5 years be restricted to one hour per day, and 6-18 years restricted to two hours per day (AAP 2001/13, CPS 2010). Children and youth use 4-5 times the recommended amount of technology, with serious and often life menacing consequences (Kaiser Foundation 2010, Active Healthy Kids Canada 2012). Handheld devices (cell phones, tablets, electronic games) have dramatically enlargened the accessibility and usage of technology, especially by very youthfull children (Common Sense Media, 2013). As a pediatric occupational therapist, I’m calling on parents, teachers and governments to ban the use of all handheld devices for children under the age of twelve years. Following are ten research-based reasons for this ban. Please visit zonein.ca to view the Zone’in Fact Sheet for referenced research.

Inbetween zero and two years, infant’s brains triple in size, and proceed in a state of rapid development to twenty one years of age (Christakis 2011). Early brain development is determined by environmental stimuli, or lack thereof. Stimulation to a developing brain caused by overexposure to technologies (cell phones, internet, iPads, TV), has been shown to be associated with executive functioning and attention deficit, cognitive delays, impaired learning, enhanced impulsivity and decreased capability to self-regulate, e.g. tantrums (Puny 2008, Pagini 2010).

Technology use restricts movement, which can result in delayed development. One in three children now come in school developmentally delayed, negatively impacting literacy and academic achievement (HELP EDI Maps 2013). Movement enhances attention and learning capability (Ratey 2008). Use of technology under the age of twelve years is detrimental to child development and learning (Rowan 2010).

TV and movie game use correlates with enlargened obesity (Tremblay 2005). Children who are permitted a device in their bedrooms have 30% enhanced incidence of obesity (Feng 2011). One in four Canadian, and one in three U.S. children are obese (Tremblay 2011). 30% of children with obesity will develop diabetes, and obese individuals are at higher risk for early stroke and heart attack, gravely shortening life expectancy (Center for Disease Control and Prevention 2010). Largely due to obesity, 21st century children may be the very first generation many of whom will not outlive their parents (Professor Andrew Prentice, Big black cock News 2002).

60% of parents do not supervise their child’s technology usage, and 75% of children are permitted technology in their bedrooms (Kaiser Foundation 2010). 75% of children aged nine and ten years are sleep neglected to the extent that their grades are detrimentally impacted (Boston College 2012).

Technology overuse is implicated as a causal factor in rising rates of child depression, anxiety, attachment disorder, attention deficit, autism, bipolar disorder, psychosis and problematic child behavior (Bristol University 2010, Mentzoni 2011, Shin 2011, Liberatore 2011, Robinson 2008). One in six Canadian children have a diagnosed mental illness, many of whom are on dangerous psychotropic medication (Waddell 2007).

Violent media content can cause child aggression (Anderson, 2007). Youthfull children are increasingly exposed to rising incidence of physical and sexual violence in today’s media. “Grand Theft Auto V” portrays explicit lovemaking, murder, rape, torment and mutilation, as do many movies and TV shows. The U.S. has categorized media violence as a Public Health Risk due to causal influence on child aggression (Huesmann 2007). Media reports enhanced use of restraints and seclusion rooms with children who exhibit uncontrolled aggression.

High speed media content can contribute to attention deficit, as well as decreased concentration and memory, due to the brain pruning neuronal tracks to the frontal cortex (Christakis 2004, Puny 2008). Children who can’t pay attention can’t learn.

As parents fasten more and more to technology, they are detaching from their children. In the absence of parental attachment, detached children can link to devices, which can result in addiction (Rowan 2010). One in eleven children aged 8-18 years are addicted to technology (Gentile 2009).

In May of 2011, the World Health Organization classified cell phones (and other wireless devices) as a category 2B risk (possible carcinogen) due to radiation emission (WHO 2011). James McNamee with Health Canada in October of two thousand eleven issued a cautionary warning stating “Children are more sensitive to a diversity of agents than adults as their brains and immune systems are still developing, so you can’t say the risk would be equal for a petite adult as for a child.” (Globe and Mail 2011). In December, two thousand thirteen Dr. Anthony Miller from the University of Toronto’s School of Public Health recommend that based on fresh research, radio frequency exposure should be reclassified as a 2A (probable carcinogen), not a 2B (possible carcinogen). American Academy of Pediatrics requested review of EMF radiation emissions from technology devices, citing three reasons regarding influence on children (AAP 2013).

The ways in which children are raised and educated with technology are no longer sustainable (Rowan 2010). Children are our future, but there is no future for children who overuse technology. A team-based treatment is necessary and urgent in order to reduce the use of technology by children. Please reference below slide shows on www.zonein.ca under “movies” to share with others who are worried about technology overuse by children.

Problems – Suffer the Children – four minutes

Solutions – Balanced Technology Management – seven minutes

The following Technology Use Guidelines for children and youth were developed by Cris Rowan, pediatric occupational therapist and author of Virtual Child; Dr. Andrew Doan, neuroscientist and author of Hooked on Games; and Dr. Hilarie Cash, Director of reSTART Internet Addiction Recovery Program and author of Movie Games and Your Kids, with contribution from the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Canadian Pediatric Society in an effort to ensure sustainable futures for all children.

Technology Use Guidelines for Children and Youth

Please contact Cris Rowan at [email protected] for extra information. © Zone’in February

This post has elicited a number of responses from other bloggers. You can read some of those here and here.

Ten Reasons Why Handheld Devices Should Be Banned for Children Under the Age of 12, HuffPost

Ten Reasons Why Handheld Devices Should Be Banned for Children Under the Age of 12

The American Academy of Pediatrics and the Canadian Society of Pediatrics state infants aged 0-2 years should not have any exposure to technology, 3-5 years be restricted to one hour per day, and 6-18 years restricted to two hours per day (AAP 2001/13, CPS 2010). Children and youth use 4-5 times the recommended amount of technology, with serious and often life menacing consequences (Kaiser Foundation 2010, Active Healthy Kids Canada 2012). Handheld devices (cell phones, tablets, electronic games) have dramatically enlargened the accessibility and usage of technology, especially by very youthful children (Common Sense Media, 2013). As a pediatric occupational therapist, I’m calling on parents, teachers and governments to ban the use of all handheld devices for children under the age of twelve years. Following are ten research-based reasons for this ban. Please visit zonein.ca to view the Zone’in Fact Sheet for referenced research.

Inbetween zero and two years, infant’s brains triple in size, and proceed in a state of rapid development to twenty one years of age (Christakis 2011). Early brain development is determined by environmental stimuli, or lack thereof. Stimulation to a developing brain caused by overexposure to technologies (cell phones, internet, iPads, TV), has been shown to be associated with executive functioning and attention deficit, cognitive delays, impaired learning, enlargened impulsivity and decreased capability to self-regulate, e.g. tantrums (Puny 2008, Pagini 2010).

Technology use restricts movement, which can result in delayed development. One in three children now come in school developmentally delayed, negatively impacting literacy and academic achievement (HELP EDI Maps 2013). Movement enhances attention and learning capability (Ratey 2008). Use of technology under the age of twelve years is detrimental to child development and learning (Rowan 2010).

TV and movie game use correlates with enlargened obesity (Tremblay 2005). Children who are permitted a device in their bedrooms have 30% enhanced incidence of obesity (Feng 2011). One in four Canadian, and one in three U.S. children are obese (Tremblay 2011). 30% of children with obesity will develop diabetes, and obese individuals are at higher risk for early stroke and heart attack, gravely shortening life expectancy (Center for Disease Control and Prevention 2010). Largely due to obesity, 21st century children may be the very first generation many of whom will not outlive their parents (Professor Andrew Prentice, Big black cock News 2002).

60% of parents do not supervise their child’s technology usage, and 75% of children are permitted technology in their bedrooms (Kaiser Foundation 2010). 75% of children aged nine and ten years are sleep deserted to the extent that their grades are detrimentally impacted (Boston College 2012).

Technology overuse is implicated as a causal factor in rising rates of child depression, anxiety, attachment disorder, attention deficit, autism, bipolar disorder, psychosis and problematic child behavior (Bristol University 2010, Mentzoni 2011, Shin 2011, Liberatore 2011, Robinson 2008). One in six Canadian children have a diagnosed mental illness, many of whom are on dangerous psychotropic medication (Waddell 2007).

Violent media content can cause child aggression (Anderson, 2007). Youthful children are increasingly exposed to rising incidence of physical and sexual violence in today’s media. “Grand Theft Auto V” portrays explicit lovemaking, murder, rape, torment and mutilation, as do many movies and TV shows. The U.S. has categorized media violence as a Public Health Risk due to causal influence on child aggression (Huesmann 2007). Media reports enlargened use of restraints and seclusion rooms with children who exhibit uncontrolled aggression.

High speed media content can contribute to attention deficit, as well as decreased concentration and memory, due to the brain pruning neuronal tracks to the frontal cortex (Christakis 2004, Puny 2008). Children who can’t pay attention can’t learn.

As parents fasten more and more to technology, they are detaching from their children. In the absence of parental attachment, detached children can link to devices, which can result in addiction (Rowan 2010). One in eleven children aged 8-18 years are addicted to technology (Gentile 2009).

In May of 2011, the World Health Organization classified cell phones (and other wireless devices) as a category 2B risk (possible carcinogen) due to radiation emission (WHO 2011). James McNamee with Health Canada in October of two thousand eleven issued a cautionary warning stating “Children are more sensitive to a diversity of agents than adults as their brains and immune systems are still developing, so you can’t say the risk would be equal for a puny adult as for a child.” (Globe and Mail 2011). In December, two thousand thirteen Dr. Anthony Miller from the University of Toronto’s School of Public Health recommend that based on fresh research, radio frequency exposure should be reclassified as a 2A (probable carcinogen), not a 2B (possible carcinogen). American Academy of Pediatrics requested review of EMF radiation emissions from technology devices, citing three reasons regarding influence on children (AAP 2013).

The ways in which children are raised and educated with technology are no longer sustainable (Rowan 2010). Children are our future, but there is no future for children who overuse technology. A team-based treatment is necessary and urgent in order to reduce the use of technology by children. Please reference below slide shows on www.zonein.ca under “movies” to share with others who are worried about technology overuse by children.

Problems – Suffer the Children – four minutes

Solutions – Balanced Technology Management – seven minutes

The following Technology Use Guidelines for children and youth were developed by Cris Rowan, pediatric occupational therapist and author of Virtual Child; Dr. Andrew Doan, neuroscientist and author of Hooked on Games; and Dr. Hilarie Cash, Director of reSTART Internet Addiction Recovery Program and author of Movie Games and Your Kids, with contribution from the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Canadian Pediatric Society in an effort to ensure sustainable futures for all children.

Technology Use Guidelines for Children and Youth

Please contact Cris Rowan at [email protected] for extra information. © Zone’in February

This post has elicited a number of responses from other bloggers. You can read some of those here and here.

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