Excessive use of screens is associated with ADHD and slow brain development

Scientists found that children who spent more time watching screens were more likely to show increased symptoms of ADHD after two years, even if they were minimal at the beginning.

But the most interesting thing was what was happening to the brain. The scan showed:

• children with high screen time initially had a smaller thickness and volume of the cerebral cortex,
• areas responsible for language, learning, impulse control and decision-making were particularly affected
• two years later, they experienced a slowdown in the normal thickening of the cortex in areas related to cognitive functions.

Experts have also found that the structure of the brain partially explains the link between screen time and ADHD symptoms. That is, the influence of gadgets affects not only behavior, but also how a child’s brain matures.

This does not mean that screens are evil in themselves. The study highlights an important point: prolonged daily exposure to devices can interfere with processes critical to the development of attention, self-control, and emotions.

The authors of the work say that their results are another argument in favor of reasonable control of screen time, especially at school age, when the brain is actively rebuilding. And they insist: This is not a reason to panic, but a reason to pay more attention to children’s digital habits and the quality of their environment.