Spending too much time with gadgets can make small children depressed: Not the best way to soothe your child

Lots of modern parents prefer to give gadgets to their kids to distract and calm them, because it seems easy.

A study conducted by Michigan Medicine suggests that frequently using digital devices to calm upset children between the ages of 3 and 5 may lead to increased emotional dysregulation in kids, especially boys. 

Let's find out more.

Little kids are affected

The research analyzed data from 420 parents and their children over a six-month period and found that relying on devices as a primary soothing strategy could have long-term consequences. 

Emotional dysregulation symptoms include rapid mood shifts, heightened impulsivity, and sudden changes in emotions. 

The study indicated that emotional information captured attention more effectively than other types of information, potentially hindering cognitive resources for reasoning. 

Boys are affected more

The association between device-calming and emotional consequences was particularly significant among boys and children already prone to hyperactivity, impulsiveness, and intense emotions. 

The research suggests that alternative methods for emotional regulation, such as sensory techniques, naming emotions, using color zones, and offering replacement behaviors, can be beneficial for developing emotion regulation skills in children. 

By implementing these strategies, parents can help children understand and manage their feelings, ultimately fostering lifelong emotional well-being.
 

• Related news:
• research
• children
• gadgets
• development
• 19 July 2023

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