The headlines echoed the news: "Two hours in front of the screen is bad for children's brains." Beyond the alarmist that such a statement can be, the study is the first in the long term and with such a large population (a number of children).
The results, however, are preliminary and have not been officially published yet, so we have no concrete data. This has not prevented those responsible for warning of short-term conclusions. Are researchers rushing? Or should we take special care with the time our children spend in front of a screen? Let's review the last thing known about it.
Is two hours enough to affect the child's brain?
Dr. Gaya Dowling, from National Institutes of Health, one of the most prestigious institutions in medical studies, said in an interview for "60 minutes" of the CBS, yes. To reach that conclusion, it has the largest long-term study done on this subject to date.
Specifically, 11,000 children, a whole decade and 300 million dollars are the figures that frame the research. To give it more value, it must be said that the study is paid by the Federal Government of the United States, through the NIH. At first, Dr. Dowling explained, the study analyzed things like tobacco, drugs and mobile phone use.
In Babies and moreChildren hooked on mobile: seven tips to avoid screen addiction in summerGradually, the researchers decided to focus more on the use of the screens since there are no solid studies in this regard. In the investigation, the brains of 4,500 children were analyzed, using magnetic resonance imaging and what they found, they explain, is that there is a significant difference between children who use smartphones and tablets a lot and those who do not.
As Dr. Dowling explained, in children between nine and ten years what they use per day more than seven hours these devices, a thinner somatosensory cortex is observed. This part of the brain is responsible for coordinating information from the senses. In his words, in addition to this, the children studied who count with more than two hours of screen usage per day, They also showed a lower score in thinking and language skills. What does this all mean?
The study is preliminary and we still cannot affirm anything with completeness.
It is very important to highlight several points of the study. The first and most important: these are preliminary results. That is to say, we still can't put our hand in the fire or understand them as definitive. Current interpretations may change completely in the next steps of the investigation.
In Babies and moreAbusar of "screen time" would affect children's intelligence, are we taking care of its use?We cannot say that "a study has shown ..." because it is not true in any way
Second, the doctor highlights two important points: the thinning of the somatosensory cortex and the lower scores in the language and thought tests. They are related? That is, does this thinning cause a problem in children? We do not know. Both facts could be related, but researchers do not understand how or why.
The researcher herself said during the interview that some of the questions that arise from these preliminary data can be answered in a few years. Other results, however, must wait several more years to be resolved. All of that is very important: we cannot say that "a study has shown ..." because it is not true in any way.
What do we know to date?
In September of this year, another study, published in the prestigious magazine The Lancet, announced the negative relationship between mobiles and children. However, the study must be read with caution: its methodology leaves much to be desired and takes advantage of some results to draw conclusions that are too sharp. That does not mean that I am wrong, but that the result cannot be affirmed according to the study so strongly.
In Xataka, the obsession against the screens makes us see dangers where there are only correlations (and that is problematic)It is not the first time it happens. As mobile phones and tablets have been penetrating society, concern has been growing. We really don't know how they affect us, at least in a deep sense. However, for the moment, the studies carried out have fallen somewhat short. This could be the first serious, and in the long term, to reach solid conclusions.
Dr. Kara Bagot, in charge of the children's brain scan, commented during the interview that the brain activates the reward system, a neurological mechanism that makes us feel good about the use of social networks. This researcher believes that social networks have a role in the activation of this system.
This is important, because neurotransmitters responsible for making us feel satisfaction or pleasure are essential in brain development and learning. On the other hand, Any excessive use of such devices is negative, as it is to abuse anything. In a child's life, a balanced development is very important.
In Babies and more The contact with nature is good for learning: keys for children to leave the screens and go outsideTherefore, the American Pediatric Association advises to control the use of these devices in a proactive manner. The correct formula, explained Dr. Dowling, is to use the mobile as a tool, without letting it control you. We may not yet be able to say concretely if the screens affect us a lot or a little, in a negative or positive way, at least in a scientific way, but what we can say, with the security of the popular saying, is that in the balance is wisdom .
