Africa-Press – Sierra-Leone. Parents these days often resort to electronic devices to calm a fractious child. But the latest research shows that such tactics could be much more harmful for children than parents could ever have imagined.
A study has found that children whose parents turn to electronic devices as a means of keeping them diverted often suffer behavioral disorders, and this is particularly the case for boys, especially hyperactive ones.
The study involved 422 children aged between three and five and 422 parents of those children. It lasted six months, recording the children’s emotional reactions, mood swings, sudden changes in wellbeing, and increased impulsivity.
Researchers have noted that it is at an early age that children are actively susceptible to mood swings and temper tantrums, which can further encourage parents to use gadgets because they haven’t the time or energy to calm the child themselves. Among the possible methods that do not require electronic gadgets, the scientist highlighted the following ones:
“All of these solutions help children understand themselves better, and feel more competent at managing their feelings,” Radesky said. “In contrast, using a distractor such as a mobile device doesn’t teach a skill – it just distracts the child from how he or she is feeling. Kids who don’t build these skills in early childhood are more likely to struggle when stressed out in school or with peers as they get older.”
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