Is your child addicted to smartphones? Psychologist shares 7 reasons to be concerned

Children who spend more time indoors in the absence of the full spectrum of natural light are at an even greater risk. Haidt said that exposure to natural light is crucial for healthy development of eyes and it can also prevent the progression of myopia. 

Screen time is not only damning for the eyesight, it can have far-reaching effects. A 2019 report published in Jama Pediatrics found that excessive screen time is linked to delayed cognitive development in children. The study found that higher levels of screen time at ages two and three were associated with poorer performance on developmental screen tests at ages three and five. In simple words, this suggests that early exposure to screens can also impact language development, communication skills and problem-solving. 

Impact on brain development

In the podcast, Huberman explained that the brain undergoes significant changes from early childhood into adolescence, with certain periods being key to developing social, emotional, and cognitive skills. Introducing smartphones to young children during these sensitive periods can interfere with the natural development of the brain circuits. 

It needs to be noted that children’s brains are “highly plastic”, meaning they are receptive to forming new connections and learning from experiences. According to Huberman, when these experiences are dominated by instant gratification offered by mobile phones through social media, games, or other apps, it can disrupt normal development. This disruption further leads to issues with attention, impulse control, and emotional regulation. 

A 2016 report by Pediatric Clinics of North America revealed that children who spend more time in front of smartphones are likely to exhibit shorter attention spans and increased distractibility. 

Concerns about mental health

Smartphones and their impact on the mental health of children cannot be overstated. During the podcast, Dr Haidt points out that the rise in smartphone use correlates with increased rates of depression, anxiety, and even suicide among youth, especially girls. He said that social media, a common feature on smartphones, in a way, worsens these issues by creating environments where children, especially girls are constantly exposed to unrealistic beauty standards, cyberbullying, and the intense pressure to gain validation through likes and followers. 

The instant and rapid dopamine release triggered by social media interactions can lead to a loop that can underpin harmful behaviours and thoughts. Huberman says that this ‘runaway plasticity’ can make it difficult for children to break free from these behavioural patterns resulting in long-term mental health issues. 

Similarly, a 2018 report published in Clinical Psychological Science, states that high levels of smartphone use have been linked to increased risks of depression, anxiety, and low self-esteem in children and adolescents. The report states that constant connectivity can result in social comparison and cyberbullying, and can adversely impact mental well-being.

Decline in social and cognitive skills

Smartphones, especially through social media, prompt children to become brand managers of their lives, in a way prioritising virtual identity over real-world connections. This behaviour is neither playful nor constructive. Instead, it distances one from genuine social learning experiences which are crucial during childhood. 

Haidt emphasises that children need real-world experiences to form their identity, social skills, and emotional intelligence. He acknowledges that overuse of smartphones can stunt the development of critical thinking and problem-solving skills. He feels when instant answers are just a click away, children are less likely to engage in deep thinking or perseverance, aspects that would be key later in life. 

Similarly, the report, ‘Five days at outdoor education camp without screens improves preteen skills with nonverbal emotion cues’ published in Science Direct in 2014, states that excessive use of smartphones may hinder the development of face-to-face social skills. It said that children spending more time on screens have fewer opportunities to interpret non-verbal cues and engage in in-person interactions. 

Inadequate impulse control

Haidt and Huberman agree that one of the most profound changes in the brain during puberty is the development of the prefrontal cortex, the area of the brain that is responsible for impulse control, decision-making, and keeping social behaviour in check. 

According to Huberman, the overuse of smartphones can interfere with this development through instant rewards such as likes, messages, and notifications. He said that this could lead to difficulties in self-regulation and impulse control as children become used to instant gratification rather than learning to wait and work towards rewards. 

This can be substantiated by the report, Development of Korean Smartphone Addiction Proneness Scale for Youth, published in the National Library of Medicine. The report says that smartphones can be addictive owing to the release of dopamine associated with notifications and social media interactions. The report further states that this could lead to compulsive use and dependence, affecting other areas of life like academics and relationships. 

Exposure to inappropriate content

The internet is vast and largely unregulated. Smartphones offer children unlimited and unrestricted access to content that may not be appropriate for them. During the conversation, Haidt recounted the story of the ‘running the gauntlet’, an internet challenge where participants are tasked to watch increasingly disturbing videos. He said that being exposed to such content early on can be traumatic, leading to lasting psychological scars and altering the way children’s brains process fear, stress, and trauma. 

The psychologist said that the algorithms that drive content on platforms like YouTube and TikTok are designed to maximise engagement, which is often done by pushing extreme or sensational content. This could lead children to harmful rabbit holes, exposing them to dangerous ideas, habits, and communities. 

Social isolation and dependency

The duo acknowledged that smartphones can cause social isolation as children become more occupied with their devices and less engaged with the world around them. Since smartphones often replace face-to-face interactions, children are likely to get into superficial online exchanges. Haidt said that this could result in a lack of real-life social skills and dependency on virtual validation, making it hard for them to form healthy and meaningful relationships. 

Not just social isolation, prolonged smartphone use can contribute to obesity and related health issues. Since most children will be glued to their devices, the absence of physical activities can impact motor skill development in younger children. 

Steps to encourage safe use

Considering the potential risks associated with extensive smartphone use among children, parents can try implementing some safe measures. For starters, delaying smartphone ownership can be good. Parents should consider delaying the introduction of smartphones till the children are old enough or until they reach high school. This way, one can avert the interference of digital devices with normal brain development.

Secondly, limit social media use. Ideally one should restrict the use of social media till they are 16. This is crucial as it can prevent the negative impact on mental health related to social pressures. Another great way is to encourage outdoor activities as they are important for healthy physical and mental development. At home, one should implement screen-free zones, especially during meals or before bedtime.