Posted by Helen on: 02.25.2009 /
This BBC article discusses whether internet activity is adversely affecting the health of children.
A number of reports have recently linked online networking and computer games to a host of health risks.
Susan Greenfield, the eminent neuroscientist and head of the Royal Institution, is the latest to weigh into the debate, warning that young people’s brains may be fundamentally altered by internet activity.
While concerns about children and computers have usually focused on their forging inappropriate relationships online, or failing to get enough exercise as a result of being glued to a screen, the baroness suggested the consequences may be more profound.
She told peers in the House of Lords it would be worth considering whether the rise in autism - a condition marked by difficulties forming attachments - was linked to the increasing prevalence of screen relationships.
Comment by: Leo
1Have you seen or heard of the newest studies that relate ADD/ADHD problems in children with a lack of dopamine(sp) in their brains? Dopamine being the chemical that “depresses” the brain to aid in sleep and recovery of coherent thought…
Some studies are trying to relate this drop in dopamine in kids wiht the excessive use of and exposure to video, both TV and computer…stress of and use of eye muscles to hold eye in fixed position to counter the inherent jitter of a CRT…and also on a small screen - think cell phone.
All in all - as this world progresses - maybe some of these things we use are having adverse affects we are not prepared for…
Already seeing the “change” in the thinking patterns of kids - they are true “chaos” thinkers - not linear at all! Have seen youth carrying on valid, solid conversation with me while texting another conversation on different subject to a friend…don’t think I could ever do that…
Just wondering what may be happening on other side of pond in area of dealing with thinking patterns and teaching kids…
Comment by: Eliza
2While it’s possible that the internet (& maybe more likely, TV - exposure is earlier, & more hours at an early age) may be contributing to change in behavior among kids, that can’t be the only explanation, because some kids exhibit these behaviors even before (or without) these exposures.
My son has just been diagnosed as “presumptively” having ADHD, & the funny thing is that we don’t watch TV, & he uses the internet very little - mostly just watches over my shoulder (not on this post, though).
Comment by: Helen
3Leo thanks for the update - I hadn’t heard about the ADHD/dopamine study.
I think teaching in general works for kids who are the kind of learners who do well with the teaching method and not so well for those who aren’t.
Eliza, I’m sorry to hear about your son. I hope whether he has AD&D or not you can find ways to help him to navigate life successfully in spite of the symptoms which led to the presumptive diagnosis.
Comment by: Jeff Eyges
4I just noticed this. I came across an article some months ago that claimed TV and the internet are preventing children’s brains from developing properly. We evolved in a 3-D environment, and the 2-D imagery to which they’re being exposed constantly doesn’t foster development of neural connections.