Do screens destroy children’s brains?

The screen generation is the name given to children who grow up with smartphones, tablets, video games and televisions. However, many studies have pointed to the fact that exposing children to screens can have an impact on brain development. But to what extent and how much? We explain it all to you.

The harmful effects of screens on children

Numerous scientific and biological reviews have demonstrated the harmful effects of screens on children. According to the researchers, using smartphones, tablets and video games for more than 7 hours a day resulted in consequences on cognitive abilities, namely: language delay or difficulty, premature thinning of the cortex, aging of the brain, decrease in white matter, relationship problems, anxiety, difficulty socializing, lack of sleep, stress, anxiety, depression and many others. Based on these studies, the WHO has recommended that screens should be banned for children under 2 years of age and limited to one hour per day for those between 2 and 5 years of age.

Studies that show the opposite

Yet, other studies conducted in 2019 by the Oxford Internet Institute noted a positive correlation between screens and psycho-cognitive function. It seems that watching television or playing video games can help children develop their learning.

Screens can indeed help to acquire language, develop concentration, stimulate the brain or the mind, only if screen time is respected. That is, you will not have to spend more time on the screens. In these same studies, researchers showed that the effect of screens could be beneficial “from 5 hours and 8 minutes per day”.

It’s all about good use and content

Although studies contradict each other on the effects of screens on children, they agree that it is all a question of proper use. Nowadays, it is almost impossible to live without screens and all the technology that goes with them. Thus, to preserve the children, it is necessary to focus on the contents before the time spent.

For your children, it will therefore be favorable to turn to educational content is much more beneficial than viewing meaningless content and not adapted to their learning. Also, it is necessary to know how to limit the time of use of the screens and to propose them for moderate durations (one to two hours per day).

What content to choose?

Today you can find a lot of applications, games and activities on tablets and phones dedicated to children. It is normal to feel confused, to not know how to choose or to be afraid of making a mistake.

Each application present on the Appstore or Play Store has a presentation with images or videos. So you can start selecting games from here. If you want, you can search for the application on the internet, see if there is a dedicated site with more information or ask your friends and family.

There are some criteria you should consider when choosing apps or games for kids:

• the games must be adapted to the child: you must think about what age your child is and choose the games adapted to his age. For example, for children between 4 and 6 years old, you can choose games with known shapes, colors and images (for example with animals). Then you can look for games that use more language or reading.
• The child must be an actor of the game: if you want to stimulate your child, he must not remain passive in front of the screen (for example to watch videos or listen to music). On the contrary, he must interact with the screen, he must use his skills to solve the game etc… So choose games where the child must think, use his memory, his logic or his attention.
• Educational games: to be beneficial, the game must be educational. It must therefore allow the child to work on the cognitive functions that are useful for his learning and development.

COCO THINKS and COCO MOVES : the sports break imposed every 15 minutes of screen time

After 15 minutes of using the screen, Coco stops and proposes a sports break. During this dynamic break, the child can ventilate his brain and is not overloaded with stimuli sent by the screen. On the contrary, it has time to better process the information received.

During the break, the child learns to know his body, to adapt his movements according to the space available or to recognize the effects of emotions on his body. So Coco’s physical activities are a break, but they are still educational activities.

Discover the COCO THINKS and COCO MOVES app

The COCO THINKS and COCO MOVES app contains more than 30 educational games to work on English, math, logic, memory or attention.

In addition, the application imposes a sports break every 15 minutes of screen time to teach a measured use of screens.

Much smarter than a parental control!