A study reveals the effects of giving a child a pill to make him happy

Currently, the app Mobile devices such as Tablets It has become common among children from a young age. Many parents find these tools a quick fix to calm their children or keep them busy while they do other tasks. however, This seemingly harmless resource can affect the emotional development of little ones In ways we begin to understand.

A recent study published JAMA Pediatrics The earliest use of these devices reveals that It can trigger a negative cycle that affects children’s ability to regulate their emotionsThis raises serious questions about the long-term consequences of the practice.

The use of mobile devices by preschool children has increased significantly in recent years. According to the study, most of the 4-year-olds already have their own mobile device. During the pandemic COVID-19This usage further increased from a few minutes a day in 2020 to almost an hour in 2022.

Tablets, with their ability to provide real-time sensory stimulation and access to a wide variety of personalized content, have become an attractive option for parents looking to entertain their children. However, what appears to be a convenient solution can have profound effects on children’s emotional development.

He studyCarried out in a Canadian province Nova Scotia, 315 children were examined at three stages of their development: at 3.5, 4.5 and 5.5 years. Using a random cross-lagged panel model (RI-CLPM), the researchers examined how tablet use at a young age was associated with the expression of emotions such as anger and frustration.

The results are huge: Tablet use at 3.5 years was associated with increased expression of anger and frustration at 4.5 years. In addition, children who showed a greater tendency toward anger at age 4.5 used devices at age 5.5.suggesting a bidirectional relationship between these variables.

This relationship suggests that tablet use does not just affect children’s ability to manage their emotions Children who experience more frustration and anger may often turn to these electronic devices.Maybe a coping mechanism. This dynamic can create a vicious cycle that makes it difficult to develop essential skills for emotional self-regulation.

Development of Emotional regulation skills This is especially important during childhood, a critical period when children learn to manage their emotions and interact effectively with their environment. Children People who spend a lot of time using screens like tablets, They may miss out on valuable opportunities to engage in activities that encourage these skills, such as free play or face-to-face interaction with caregivers and other children.

The study suggests that its use at such a young age may alter these important interactions, which may hinder the development of children’s ability to manage emotions such as anger and frustration. In the long term, a lack of emotion regulation skills can have significant effects on children’s health, academic performance, and psychological well-being.

Another important dimension of the study is the role parents play in their children’s emotional regulation. It has been observed that Parents use electronic devices as a tool to calm their children during times of anger or disruptive behavior. This strategy, while effective in the short term, reinforces the use of screens as an immediate solution to managing difficult emotions, instead teaching children to develop their own emotion regulation strategies.

Additionally, reducing parent-child interactions during screen time may reduce children’s opportunities to learn these skills by modeling parental monitoring and emotional behaviors. The study highlights the importance of parents being aware of how their own device use and exposure to their children’s screens can affect their children’s emotional development.

One of the most encouraging findings of the study Tablet usage habits may change. Although screen use and displays of anger and frustration showed some instability over the observed period, these fluctuations may indicate that these patterns can be intervened and modified, the researchers suggest. This is particularly relevant in the context of pandemics, where increased stress and disruption to family routines may have exacerbated electronic device use and emotional problems.

In light of these findings, it is critical that parents delay the introduction of tablets and other mobile devices into their children’s lives. Instead of turning to screens as a quick fix to calm or entertain children, it is recommended to encourage activities that encourage the development of self-regulation skills, such as shared reading, imaginative play, and participation in physical activity. In addition, parents should be aware of their own device use in front of their children, as they are modeling behaviors that children may emulate.

Although more research is needed to fully understand the long-term implications, these findings suggest that attention to the moderation and quality of family interactions may be key to ensuring healthy development in early childhood.

It is important to inform parents and caregivers about the potential risks of tablet use and to try to create an environment that promotes their children’s emotional and social development during these critical years.